Story & Lesson Highlights with Beth Volpe of Glendale

Beth Volpe shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Beth, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: Are you walking a path—or wandering?
I am, and always have been, walking a path. I attribute that to knowing my passion and having confidence in my capabilities. I set clear goals for myself and remain committed to them until they are achieved, which keeps me focused and moving forward. Walking a path, to me, does not mean rushing toward an endpoint; it means intentionally stopping along the way to learn, research, experiment, and grow. Each step builds on the last, and every achievement informs the next direction I take.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Beth Volpe, and I am a classically trained personal chef. I received my culinary certification from Escoffier International Culinary Academy in 2015, but my professional cooking journey began earlier, when I launched my business, Savory Eats by Beth, in 2013. Turning a lifelong passion for cooking into a business later in life—during my 50s—felt both natural and energizing. Fortunately, the business gained traction almost immediately and grew into a very successful venture.

In addition to catering intimate dinner parties and teaching cooking lessons, my primary client base consisted of individuals referred by nutritionists and dietitians who required highly customized meals due to specific dietary needs. That work—combining classical technique with precision, care, and personalization—became a defining aspect of my brand.

After five years, I made the difficult decision to close the business due to significant family health challenges and the increasing physical demands of the work. While that chapter came to an end, my relationship with food never did. Today, I continue to cook for one of my original clients, teach home cooking classes, and explore new culinary interests, including sausage making, dry-aging meats, smoking, and pizza making. Cooking remains both my craft and my creative outlet—one that continues to evolve with me.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who taught you the most about work?
My grandmothers taught me the most about work. Some of my earliest memories are watching them in the kitchen—fat slowly rendering, steaks sizzling in butter, stuffing a breast of veal, and the care they brought to every detail. Those experiences sparked my love of cooking, and I still prepare many of the traditional dishes I grew up with, finding comfort in those flavors and routines.

I built on that early foundation by majoring in Home Economics in college, and later by taking numerous cooking classes to refine my skills. Over time, I realized that skill and work ethic go hand in hand: talent alone isn’t enough, and discipline and dedication give it purpose. Together, they shape both what you can achieve and who you become.

Do you remember a time someone truly listened to you?
Yes, I do. When I was first thinking about cooking professionally, my husband truly listened to me. Over the years, I often mentioned how much I wanted to cook for people and find a way to make a living doing something I loved. At the time, I wasn’t envisioning a formal business—just a meaningful way to turn my passion into income.

After hearing those thoughts repeated over several years, one day he encouraged me to look into what it would take to actually start a business. That moment changed everything. His support gave me the confidence to do the research and ultimately open my own personal chef business. He also recognized how much I thrive on learning and suggested that I pursue my culinary certification. His perspective was simple and powerful: whether or not the business succeeded, investing in my education was an investment in me.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My closest friends would say that family matters most to me—without question. My husband, my two adult children, my two grandsons, and my siblings are the center of my life. Family provides my grounding, my motivation, and my sense of purpose.

Health comes next, because it underpins everything else. It shapes how I work, how I care for others, and how I move through each stage of life. Closely tied to that is my love of cooking and the skills I’ve built over a lifetime. Food has always been my way of nurturing, connecting, and expressing care.

I’m deeply loyal, and I value long-standing relationships. I’ve been fortunate to have consistent encouragement and support from both family and friends, and that foundation has given me the confidence to take risks, adapt to change, and continue growing—both personally and professionally.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people say that I lived a long, fulfilling, and genuinely happy life—one shaped by curiosity, courage, and connection. I’ve been fortunate to have several interesting careers, including one that began later in life and allowed me to turn a lifelong passion into meaningful work. I’ve traveled the world, embraced change, and never stopped learning.

Most importantly, I hope I’m remembered as someone who loved fiercely. My family has always been my greatest priority, and I tried to make every moment with them intentional, special, and memorable. I’ve also been lucky to have deep, lifelong friendships that enriched every stage of my life.

Finally, I hope people remember me as someone who could take an idea or a desire and bring it to fruition—through persistence, skill-building, and a commitment to learning. That ability to grow, adapt, and create has defined both my work and my life.