Staff Highlight: Meet Ricketta the new Bakehouse Manager
Tell us about you and your history with Wheatsville.
Hey everyone! I was born and raised just southeast of Austin in Beaumont, Texas. I had never really traveled much outside of Beaumont, which in my opinion is a small town where everyone is either related or knows one other. I always wanted to move and live in more of a city environment so at the first opportunity I relocated to Austin with my girlfriend at the time. Since moving to Austin, I find myself the happiest I have ever been! The people here are very friendly and the attractions are never-ending. I have lived in Austin for about 8 years and think it will be my forever home.
I interviewed with Wheatsville before I moved here and received the job in 2014. I started at the deli counter making sandwiches, smoothies and coffee drinks for the awesome customers here at the co-op. After a year or so, I decided to branch out and learn how to cook in the Wheatsville kitchen. In March of 2019 I decided to see what I could learn in the Bakehouse department. I began making our delicious vegan donuts and moved from the donut team to the pastry chef team. I then went from making pastry to making our amazing from scratch baked daily bread. I have truly enjoyed working in every role that I have had at Wheatsville and feel they have all given me a greater perspective and insight I would need to be successful in my newest position.
What is your favorite product at Wheatsville?
I love all our house-made products, whether it is our delicious freshly squeezed juices we offer in our produce, or any of the freshly made ready to go compound salads from the deli. I love to eat tasty, fresh homemade food and if for some reason I am unable to make it myself I know I can always hop over to the deli and find something good and flavorful to eat. I also enjoy our in-house desserts. They’re always looking so yummy and smell delightful when I walk by the displays, I grab something
every time!
What is something most people don’t know about you?
Something most people do not know about me is that I come from a big family! I have one older brother, two older sisters and two younger brothers. We are all close with each other, my sister especially. My mom had us literally one year after the other, so we grew up very close and still are to this day. My oldest sister just turned 31 in September of this year, my other older sister will turn 30 in January of next year, and I will turn 29 in March of next year...yeah, really close.
Why Wheatsville?
I am so glad you asked me this question now and not when I first started eight years ago because I had no idea that I had found the best job in the world! Wheatsville has been my workplace home for almost a decade and I can honestly say every single day working here has been a great, fulfilling experience. The culture and work environment were a shock to me, having worked with corporate companies my entire life, so coming into this place where I am not just another cog in the machine really made me feel a part of this Wheatsville family. Wheatsville cares about making their employees and the community happy any way that they can, and that dedication and warmth gives you the sense of being included in something bigger than yourself. Everyone is so helpful and nice and not just in certain departments, but store wide. They say when you do what you love with people you love and respect, it doesn’t even feel like work, and they could not have been more correct! Thank you!