Today we’d like to introduce you to Maeve Rochford.
Maeve, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Originally from Cincinnati, I attended Boston University competing with the division 1 rowing team, even landing a “one to watch” spot in Women’s Sports Illustrated. It was there I was diagnosed with Membrano Proliferative Glomerulo Nephritis (MPGN). MPGN causes inflammation of the capillaries that filter waste in the kidneys and can lead to renal failure.
After a brief period of adjustment, and not knowing what the future held, I decided to live each day to the maximum. I opened a small bakery in Pacific Beach in 2010, five years later I won Season 2 Food Network’s Holiday Baking Championship. since then I have participated in Food Network’s Holiday Baking Championship Homecoming Special, beat Bobby Flay, and Kids Baking Championship. I have a Chef Maeve bakeware and knife set available a Home Goods and select Bloomingdale stores. I was named the 2017 Irish Woman of the year by the Irish Congress.
I believe in teamwork above all else. and the only way to succeed is to surround yourself with a team of people who empower you and work together to achieve the same goal. In 2010 I had the good fortune of meeting a financial investor and together we opened Sugar and Scribe Restaurant and Bakery in LaJolla.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Every new business has a learning curve: building a team takes time and was the most time consuming at the beginning but we did it and I owe my 2019 Chef of the Year award to a superb team, some of whom have been with me from day one. Dealing with social media was initially the most wrenching because some of the postings were inaccurate but I learned to roll with the punches and focused on comments that I could do something about.
I love my work and striking a work/life balance has been a challenge. My husband is my anchor and keeps my feet to the fire on maintaining a fair attempt at a reasonable effort.
Please tell us about your business.
We are a Restaurant, Gourmet Coffee Bar and Full Bakery/Custom Cake. Scratch made and small batch. We are unique in that you can have your wedding brunch on Saturday, your wedding cake and dessert bar on Sunday and mimosas with us on Monday. Our team of elite hospitality servers, skilled and devoted chefs, award winning Latte artist barista and three food network champions is our greatest sense of pride.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
I think there are two parts to this question. Every morning my doors open with fresh baked goods and hot coffee I’m insanely proud. Staying in business I consider a privilege and an honor.
Second, being on stage at the California Restaurant Association and winning Chef of the Year 2019 and looking at my team was so amazing!!!!
Contact Info:
- Address: 7660 Fay Ave Suite I
La Jolla, CA 92037 - Website: www.sugarandscribe.com
- Phone: 858-274-1733
- Email: orders@sugarandscribe.com
- Instagram: Chefmaeve
- Facebook: ChefMaeveRochford
- Twitter: ChefMaeveRochford
Image Credit:
Karina Godinez, Ray Vizcaino, Manuel Miranda
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