Sasha Escue
Social Services Director of Nutrition Services
Hi there! Okay, first & foremost, let’s start with your story. What do you do and how did you get there?
My current position is at JFS [Jewish Family Services] as the Director of Nutrition Services. We provide supportive service to anyone from the homeless, the unemployed, working families, to seniors. It is the most rewarding job and as a bonus that I get to be around food! I got here by following my passions. I knew I always wanted to do something to better the world and used that as my guiding compass. I also knew I had a special relationship to food so I kept that close to my heart.
What has been your greatest accomplishment [most proud of] so far in your journey?
My current job is something I’ve worked really hard at and very proud of but my greatest accomplishment thus far is the Peace Corps. I worked in Guatemala for two years in Food Security and not a day goes by where I don't think back to how those struggles shaped me to be who I am today.
Have you had to overcome any roadblocks along the way?
Absolutely! I am skeptical towards anyone who may claim that they haven’t had any roadblocks on their journey.
Whether it be personal or external, self doubt, or lack of knowledge - there are so many things that can get in our way and often times people chose to stop there. I think all roadblocks can be broken down to speed bumps if we’re willing to accept them and keep moving forward.
Who or what [company, group, chef, flavors, place, etc] inspired you?
From a very young age I was self inspired to host my own cooking shows and knew that I wanted to go to culinary school. When I was 19 I met a very dear friend named Primo in Florence. He explained to me certain things about food that I had never experienced before and I finally understood that there were other people out there who were just as crazy about food as me! Apparently they all lived in Italy! From there I went to culinary school and began to speak to local chefs about their lives and passions. I think all of my close Italian friends really helped cultivate that for me. Alice Waters also helped get me back to the United States. After reading some of her books I could see that there was a momentum in the US that I wanted to be part of.
We often hear that networking is key when building yourself in your work. Do you have any advice network and making connections?
Yes, follow your passion! I dislike the term networking- it feels so contrived. Speak to people, real people, connect in person or on the phone to others who hold similar positions, values, or aspirations. Let them hear you and your passion!
“I dislike the term networking- it feels so contrived. Speak to people, real people, connect in person or on the phone to others who hold similar positions, values, or aspirations. Let them hear you and your passion. ”
People want to be around others who are passionate, like-minded individuals. Also, smile- that never hurts
SlowFood strives for “Good. Clean. Fair.” foods. Why are these things important to you? Or choose one that is the most important for you.
The value of clean food really resonates with me. I think it actually goes hand in hand with the other values of good and fair food. Nine times out of ten, clean food is also going to be good and delicious food. Clean food most importantly, impacts our environment in a positive way, which trickles down to everyone making it fair for all.
Since you now sit on the San Diego Chapter for SlowFood, we’re wondering which of the San Diego Pillars (Engage. Enrich. Empower.) that your work relates to the most and why.
I chose the pillar of enrich. Enrichment means the action of improving or enhancing the quality of something. Through my work at JFS or Slow Food Urban San Diego I strive to enrich others lives and enhance their health by providing access to better quality foods.