We are a team of strong women who are focused on raising up and supporting other strong women. We want to scream from the rooftops to honor each and every one of the badass babes this world is filled with. So why not? Come along with us as we highlight some beautiful, strong, badass women. 

Women are amazing. We wear so many hats, juggle so many balls, build ourselves and our worlds from the ground up. One such amazing lady we want to scream about is Sammie, owner of Orchid Restaurant, a positively delectable dining experience in Lewiston, ME featuring Asian fusion food including Thai, Sushi and Vietnamese cuisine. Sammie’s favorite dish at Orchid is of course Pad Thai, but after our own team’s experience eating there, we can assure you that you won’t go wrong with any choice from this wonderful restaurant and it's amazing leader. 

Sammie has been in the food industry for twelve years. It has been an important part of what has shaped her adult life, from as simple as paying the bills during college, to the influence on her cooking and life experience providing the opportunity to travel. After ten years in the industry, she was met with the wonderful opportunity to take over ownership of Orchid, and she met this opportunity head on with the same joy and tenacity with which she approaches life and work. She always works hard, and has a beautiful smile on her face from the joy her work brings her and so many others. 

The days are long (12+ hours!), but time flies when you are having fun, and it's safe to say Sammie loves what she does and knows that “the hard work will pay off!” When asked what her favorite part of working in the restaurant field was, Sammie made it clear that she works hard because she loves to make people happy, and let’s be real–food brings many of us to our happy place! Sammie loves to serve people and bring smiles to every table through delicious and beautifully prepared food. The atmosphere at Orchid is eclectic and inspiring, and makes the entire time one spends there an experience, not just a meal. This is in large part due to Sammie and her hard work and dedication to her staff, business, customers, and vision.

Sammie also supports other businesses around her. She focuses on quality ingredients in her dishes and aims to support local suppliers as much as she can. Much of Orchid’s produce is purchased from Blackies, a local farm. Sammie believes “The quality ingredients in our dishes is what makes us stand out amongst our competitors.” 

Sammie loves anything with lots of spice – from food dishes (like any noodle dish or traditional roasted pork that her mother cooks) to life in general. Strength and spice allow her to be the amazing woman and boss that she is. She loves to inspire others and encourages anyone who dreams of a culinary career to go for it, and believes it is so worth it!

“Everything about it is worth it. It’s worth the time, the effort, and the networking with local restaurant owners . I love being able to work with other cooks because I know there is support all around.”

Before our time chatting with Sammie ended we wanted to gain some insight from her for anyone aspiring to a future in food service. We see you, we love your dreams, and we want to support you however we can! Here is what Sammie had to say about offering advice for any aspiring entrepreneurs wanting to get into the food world.

“First you have to be inspired by food. Second: you must stay creative and always find something new. It’s also so important to learn about different cultures. It’s not always your kind of food, and that’s what makes being in this field so unique. You’re always learning. Growing is definitely scary and can be uncomfortable, but once you branch out, you will be able to see the growth in yourself and in your business.”

ORCHID RESTAURANT

29 LISBON ST, LEWISTON ME

(207) 753-0389

https://www.facebook.com/orchidlewiston/