In celebration of Women's History Month, Sporting Kansas City will highlight some of the amazing women within the club by talking to them about their experiences in their field. First up is Jamie Washington the head chef at Compass Minerals National Performance Center.
A self-taught cook with years of experience in the restaurant industry, Washington has been in the business of making delicious food for athletes since the early 2000's. Inspired by her mother’s cooking Washington loves to celebrate the cultural differences of Sporting and hopes that the microaggressions she’s experienced as a woman head chef disappear in the near future.
What it is like being at the forefront of change in a male-dominated industry?
Although I started working in restaurants in the 90’s, I’ve worked in sports since 2000, working for Levy Restaurants at Arrowhead Stadium. The challenges I faced in those early years were mainly geared toward the issues of the “me too” movement.
What's it like in your current role as a woman?
At Sporting, my role is different because the culture is so inclusive. Inclusion is such a large part of what we do. I feel that here, I’m just a part of the team. Gender doesn’t really play a part at all.
What difficulties have you noticed throughout your career?
I feel that women are treated differently in many ways. Certain jobs are considered “gender-specific”, issues with pay scale, advancement opportunities and more.
One of the biggest difficulties is that women have to prove themselves seemingly more so than their male colleagues. As a woman in an administrative role, I still find that I am often viewed as not being an administrator just because I’m a black woman. People assume that only males working there are in charge.
What does your day look like within the club?
My day starts with my team and I opening for breakfast, which often includes preparing multiple meals for different groups.
We often have a small window of time between meals, which is when I check in with Kim (our team dietician) and check orders for incoming deliveries.
Although our crew is small, we work hard to make sure that the food is great and that our kitchens are clean and ready for service at all times.
What advice do you have for young women trying to break barriers?
Don’t be afraid. Be brave and be bold. We all have something that we want to do in life, a dream inside us that drives us. Follow your passion.
Have you noticed any positive changes throughout the years?
I love how there are increasingly more women in administrative and ownership roles in sports. Growing up in the Kansas City area, Karen Kornacki was one of the only women sports reporters that I was aware of. It’s amazing how far things have come as women are now prominent in all sports reporting.
Working in a male-dominated industry, how do you find/seek out your female community?
We basically just gravitate towards one another. We find ways to share those experiences that only we can understand and relate to each other. During these four years I’ve been with Sporting, I’ve met and worked with some amazing women.
How can Sporting KC better support women - not just their associates but in the community as a whole?
Showing support for the Kansas City Current as well as all women’s sporting activities. Finding ways to reach out to the underserved communities, especially the Hispanic community because they’re huge soccer fans, and getting them more involved. Sports bring people together from all walks of life.
