INTERVIEW WITH SHARON RISSAL, RAMMYS 2018 EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR FINALIST

The Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) presents Sharon Rissal, an Employee of the Year finalist for the 2018 RAMMY Awards Gala on June 10. The Employee of the Year award is given to someone who serves as a model employee by displaying outstanding service, an excellent work ethic and a positive image. This excludes managerial positions, giving house employees an opportunity to display their hard work. ​

Name and Position: My name is Sharon Julianty Rissal but I go by Sarah. I’ve been a server at Jaleo Bethesda for 5 years and have a passion for making people happy and for caring for them through teaching.​

How did you get started in the business? What was your first job in the industry and what did you learn from it? My first job was at Subway. Position title: sandwich artist. I learned that food makes people happy and I loved being a part of that!​

Where do you see yourself in five years? As much as I would love to say a I see myself as a server or even as a ThinkFoodGroup Home Office team member, in five years I would love to be a dedicated stay-at-home mom!

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? Dreamwork makes the teamwork!

What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? If I could do anything else, I would like to go back and become a teacher. Before the food industry, I was a substitute elementary school teacher.

What is your favorite ingredient? Salt. It’s essential to every dish.​

What insider foodie tip do you have for diners? Always tip!​

You’re hosting a dream dinner party. What three people would be at your table? My mom, my papa and Obama. Wow, that would be perfect.​

It’s the last meal of your life - what’s on your plate? One of my mom’s signature Indonesian home cooked meals - rice, rendang, mie goreng, and a fried egg.​

What are your pet peeves? Traffic!