Name: Melissa Perfit
Age: 30
Gig: Sous Chef at Beast and the Hare

What is one thing you love most about working in this industry?
"Every day is different. There is always something new to learn, a different goal to accomplish, or a challenge to overcome. Also, there’s nothing like the feeling of the rush of the kitchen, being completely overwhelmed with orders, and timing everything with everyone else’s cooking — but realizing I have it under control. It will give me a chill sometimes, but it’s an irreplaceable feeling."

How long have you been involved in the culinary world, and what initially brought you into it?
"I’ve been cooking for seven years. I’m not sure what gave me the itch to start, but for some reason I talked my way into a kitchen my senior year of college with no experience. The chef was nice and crazy enough to hire me as a prep cook and it really influenced and motivated me to stick with it."

How have you seen the restaurant industry evolve from when you first started?
"I've seen a lot of new restaurants go back to basics and concentrate on making simple food really well."

What are your future career plans?
"I get asked this question a lot. It’s hard to answer, because it seems like most cooks want to be a head chef or own their own place. I feel like that is a little unrealistic for the most part. For now, I am just trying to keep working hard and will see where is takes me. I am always pushing myself to be better."

Photographed by Molly DeCoudreaux