Erika Lipe
DESCRIBE YOUR CURRENT ROLE
I am the chef-owner of SoLa Oxford. I operate as the GM, executive Chef, IT, resident nurse, social media influencer, and token blonde line cook.
HOW I KNEW THIS WAS MY PASSION
I’m not going to go all Bourdain here, but it’s kinda one of those “you just know” things. I floundered around with art-related majors in college because I couldn’t see myself being fulfilled by a career in graphic design, but I took a job in a professional kitchen 19 years ago and haven’t once questioned my path.
BEST ADVICE I EVER RECEIVED
A young wine broker told me a story of learning to taste at a prominent French vineyard and technically this advice was given to him, but man, do I love it! “Don’t pretend you know everything—because it’s boring, and you don’t.”
BEST CAREER MOMENT SO FAR
Nurturing this little microcosm of my universe with a group of dedicated staff and watching it bloom into something sustainable and able to sustain the each of us has been indescribably rewarding.
NONPROFIT I WISH I KNEW MORE ABOUT
CASA of North Mississippi
Hometown: Batesville
I can’t start my day until: large cold brew, sugar-free vanilla
Hobbies: collecting art, traveling to restaurants, growing tropical plants, wildlife watching with my dog Ducky, an avid rabbit-spotter
Binge-watch: I’m not a big TV girl. And before you ask, no I didn’t watch The Bear. I’d rather run on a treadmill than endure that in my downtime.
Last Good Read: “The Portable Henry Rollins”
Favorite Meal in Town: Philly cheesesteak quesadilla & fries from Proud Larry’s
