Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Philpot.
Hi Jessica, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
It’s 2002 and the Food Network is all the rage, selling the idea of becoming a glamorous and artistic chef. I quickly switched from an Early Elementary Ed major and enrolled in the culinary program at St. Philips college. I landed my first job as a pastry cook for the then SBC Center and fell in love with all things sugar. The desire to learn and really focus in on pastry led me to attend the French Pastry School in Chicago. It was the greatest debt I could’ve gotten into and loved every moment of the experience. I relocated to Los Angeles and began my career there, working at several spots, including Akasha, Lukshon/Father’s Office and most notably Providence. After about a 7 year stint in LA, the unfortunate loss of my mother brought me back home to San Antonio. I briefly worked for the CIA Bakery and Bakery Lorraine, before finding my home with the Empty Stomach Group and opening Extra Fine.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I feel pretty fortunate to have had the route that I have had. I’ve gotten to travel, meet and work with many great chefs. I almost always had 2 jobs at the same time, not only bc it was financially necessary, but because I was able to learn twice as fast. It was a challenge to leave home, live and grow in 2 of the biggest food cities in America, and on my own without that security of my family. The biggest struggle I would say is figuring out how to properly balance work and life. My daughter is 7 now and has been through it all, so figuring out how to be a good leader/chef, while raising her is probably the hardest thing to do.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Extra Fine is a local coffee shop and bakery with two loactions, one at 138 E Mistletoe Ave, and the other at 812 S Presa St. The concept was birthed having worked out of Hot Joy’s original location, as I made desserts and bread for our restaurant group. We offer fresh baked pastries daily, a variety of hot and cold sandwiches and great coffee!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://extrafinesa.com
- Instagram: extra_fine_sa
- Facebook: Extra Fine SA
