Today we’d like to introduce you to Elissa Rae.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Born in Syracuse, New York, I started my career in restaurants at the age of 13 as support staff; busser, food runner, prep girl… you name it. I eventually found my calling in the back of the house. I went to culinary school at New England Culinary Institute. After graduation, I worked in San Francisco for a brief period of time and then eventually landed in Las Vegas for an 8 year stretch – 3 years as the assistant banquet chef at The Rio and then made my move to the front of the house at Spago and RM Seafood – where I met my husband, Brian (Currently, the chef at Coppa in the south end).
In 2009, we made the pilgrimage from Vegas to Nantucket for a season – I am still a regular guest star employee at Cru. From there, we ended up in Boston where I took a position at Top of the Hub as Beverage Director. Meanwhile, my husband was the Chef de Cuisine at Rialto with Jody Adams, through this relationship the stars aligned and I accepted the position as GM at the to-be-opened Trade. I am still with the company 7 years later as the Director of Events.
In my spare time, I love going to the beach, sipping crisp white wine and spending time with my 13-year-old pointer, Sasha.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Haha, absolutely not. I don’t think it ever is. I think everyone has challenges when it comes to growing up in the restaurant industry. From working as a teenager in an older male-dominated kitchen to starting my management career as a chef in a union house it has always been tough. The one big silver lining to this is that I have learned from these struggles and apply that knowledge every day.
I have done a lot in restaurants; from bus girl/prep cook to Director of Human Resources. I never forget where I came from.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Trade & Porto Restaurants – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
As I had mentioned, I had a pretty extensive career at a young age within the back of the house and moved to the front about 12 years ago. I specialize in being flexible. I have worked with the same restaurant group (Trade/Porto) for 7 years. I started as the GM at Trade, opened Porto in 2015 as the GM, moved into the position of Director of Human Resources and am now the Director of Events – I have been known to make guest appearances on Expo and garde manger from time to time as well.
I am most known for having a broad skill set that improves the restaurant every day.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts or other resources that you’ve benefited from using?
I absolutely love riding the train to work (most of the time) and listening to the Moth Radio Podcast – the stories are heartfelt and very often have no relevance to my career. It’s a nice break from day to day life. Also, a fan of Cherry Bomb Radio (podcast) and Beautiful Anonymous.
Contact Info:
- Website: Trade-Boston.com, Porto-Boston.com
- Email: Elissa@trade-boston.com, Elissa@porto-boston.com
- Instagram: @theElissaRae
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elissa.h.rae
Image Credit:
Ken Rivard Photography
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