How Rose Previte Created a Culinary Community that Honors Food and Culture

      Welcome to Second Life, a podcast that highlights successful women who have made significant career transitions and confidently navigated change. Hosted by Hillary Kerr, co-founder and chief content officer of Who What Wear, each episode connects you with women who are transformative figures in their industries. Subscribe to Second Life on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts to stay updated.

      Rose Previte is an inspiring restaurateur and entrepreneur whose passion for food has influenced her impressive career. Her enthusiasm for cooking and entertaining began at a young age, starting with her first job in her mother’s Middle Eastern catering business and restaurant in Ohio. Although she had this foundation, Previte went on to earn a master’s degree in public policy and began her career in local government.

      A significant change occurred when her husband took a position as NPR's Moscow correspondent. After moving with him, Previte traveled to over 30 countries in three years. These international experiences, along with her Lebanese Sicilian roots, reignited her culinary aspirations. Motivated by the diverse flavors and cultures she found, she made the decision to open her own restaurant.

      Previte independently secured funding, and in 2014, she launched her first restaurant, Compass Rose, in Washington, DC. This marked the start of her growing culinary presence. She subsequently opened more restaurants and a bar in DC, further solidifying her role in the city's dining landscape. Previte's ambitions reached further west as she introduced the food hall Maydan Market in Los Angeles, bringing her unique communal dining concept to the West Coast. Her entrepreneurial initiatives extend beyond just restaurants; she has written a cookbook, created a consumer packaged goods brand, founded a wine company, and established the restaurant group No White Plates.

      Tune into the latest episode of Second Life to hear how Previte's path demonstrates the strength of combining personal heritage, a global outlook, and fearless ambition.

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