Meet Scot Romaine | Owner/Chef

We had the good fortune of connecting with Scot Romaine and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Scot, what are you inspired by?
Starting my own business was a long term goal that I am proud to have brought to fruition. To myself, I have always felt it was a natural part of the progression of finding a trade you feel a connection with, absorbing and participating in the knowledge of your trade, and eventually taking the leap and putting yourself to the test. Whether that be progressing in your career, or venturing off on your own. After growing under my mentor, and sadly with his passing, I chose to seize the moment and start my own business. The Divide Restaurant.

What’s one piece of conventional advice that you disagree with?

Advice is fluid, you don’t need to take it exactly as it’s given. For example, convention may dictate that you need to pay your dues, and directly follow the path that has been taken before you. Though there is wisdom in doing so, you may personally be ready to venture down your own path much earlier than what conventional methods would call for. Base your decisions in knowledge gained and follow your gut.

Risk taking: how do you think about risk, what role has taking risks played in your life/career?

Risk, the feeling of stepping out of your comfort zone to deliberately stand on uncertain ground. I don’t feel as though taking uncalculated risks should ever really be championed. I do believe in following your intuition and risk taking, though I myself have always tried to build my foundation strong enough to support the risks I take.

What habits do you feel helped you succeed?

Plain and simple consistency and the willingness to “get your hands dirty”. The consistency with which you put forth to present your business is paramount to your success. I believe in digging in and working through the day to day needs or issues of any venture until you have achieved your goals. Success is a slippery and ever changing ideal that must be constantly strived for.

What is the most important factor behind your success/the success of your brand?

The success that my business has seen up to date and into the future will be and has been a direct result of the efforts personally given, through the dedication and continued efforts of my staff, and a desire to continue to grow our interests into a sustainable platform.

What’s the most important lesson your business/career has taught you?

Your career is an education, learn the basics, take in the details, and allow yourself to perceive the nuances that together form a well rounded education.

Work life balance: how has your balance changed over time? How do you think about the balance?

From the outside looking in I think my life would look rather unbalanced in favor of career over personal time. In an effort to help myself and family strive toward financial stability in our lives we have formed our day to day around our business in several ways.

From the inside looking out, I feel as though I am lucky to have a career that I love being so heavily involved in, on a day to day level. My career/business is a block of clay I get to shape and form under the guidance of my own hands.

How did you come up with the idea for your business?

Opening my own restaurant has always been a step I’ve seen myself taking. The idea has been a long time in the making, though I feel one that was realized at the correct point in my life. Different details, ideas, and inspirations for our products have been collected from personal interests over the span of my career.

Why did you pursue an artistic or creative career?

I have always been drawn to the arts. Whether pencil to paper, knife to food, or the freedom of interpretation. Though several aspects of the restaurant industry are firmly rooted in traditional business sense, the room for creativity and self expression has always been a main driving factor for me. To take base ingredients or concepts and to be able to present them simply or in a manner that may be radically different from their original form is art all in itself.

What are you inspired by?

Inspiration comes in all forms, try hard enough and you can pull inspiration from the darkest situations. I allow myself to find inspiration from most any moment that catches my attention. A comment from someone, the swirl on a snail’s shell, the layering of depth in physical art or written word. Minimize limits and inspiration pours in.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
To my Chef and Mentor Heinz Guggisberg, and also to my family for all the help and support.