My personal mission is to live a balanced life, leading a successful business that empowers its employees, in harmony with my ethical beliefs.
–Tim McDiarmid
What was the defining moment in your past that set you on the career path you ended up following?
I always knew I would work in the culinary industry – ever since I was three years old and picking peas in my mom’s one-acre garden. There have been many defining moments since, but the one that set me on this path was moving to San Antonio. I’d been working in restaurants in New York City, but when my son was born I wanted a slower pace. As a full-time single mom, I also needed a flexible job. In San Antonio, I saw a niche for the kind of wholesome natural, vibrant food I love to create. Then, Tim the Girl Catering was born.
Tim the Girl charcuterie plate
What makes you unique in your industry?
My wide range of experience. I started out cooking on a 100-acre farm in rural Canada, and now I lead culinary tours to Italy, as well as manage my catering company, two restaurants, and an event venue. I truly create menus directly influenced by my experiences growing up, my years in New York City and my time in Europe. We span a large market, trying to encourage people to invest in themselves by consuming quality food and, of course, cocktails. Lastly, I think our venue Ivy Hall in Southtown San Antonio is incredibly unique.
Ivy Hall in Southtown San Antonio
What is one way you hope to impact your community in the future, either personally or professionally?
In June, I was selected to be one of only 20 Fellows by the James Beard Foundation for their Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership Program. As a fellow, I’ll be working on higher-level business and financial growth, as well as concerns unique to women in my industry. This is great, as I hope to bring more knowledge to the women in my industry and be a better mentor for women entrepreneurs in San Antonio. San Antonio is a city with serious health issues, and I would hope to encourage others to not only eat more healthfully, but also to open restaurants and adapt menus to help their city.
If you could sit down with any woman in the world–either from history or who is currently living–who would that be and what would you discuss with her?
Chef Alice Waters, owner of Chez Panisse and inventor of “California cuisine.” I would love to ask her how she continues to stay true to her commitment to whole and organic food, even as trends come and go.
Tim the Girl salad
Connect with Tim McDiarmid, The Good Kind Hospitality Group and Tim the Girl at EatGoodKind.com, TimTheGirl.com and IvyHallEvents.com, with Tim McDiarmid on LinkedIn, and with The Good Kind on Facebook and on Instagram @timmcdiarmid, @timthegirlcatering, @ivyhallevents, @goodkindsouthtown and @goodkindpearl.
This profile was (Em)powered by The Good Kind Hospitality Group.
Edited from an interview by Eleanora Morrison.