Fleming College

Nick and Natalie Wittek

Culinary Management, 2004 / Hotel and Resort Management, 2005

Fleming College graduates Nick and Natalie Wittek make a successful team at work and at home. The couple met at Crestwood Secondary School, have been married nearly eight years, have two daughters, and own and operate The Magic Rolling Pin together.

"The best thing about my career is that I get to share it with my husband/best friend. I love working on a daily basis with him, problem solving with him, and having 'ah ha!' moments with him," said Natalie, who graduated from Hotel and Resort Management in 2005. "The hardest thing about working together is that we could always be working if we are not careful! It's important for us to separate home life and work life when appropriate so we can focus on our children and enjoy family time. I love that we are working together for a common goal and we are doing it in an industry that we love at the same time."

Nick, who is a graduate of the Culinary Management program, agrees. "The best part about working with my partner is that we can face all of the daily issues together and be able to decide on an appropriate action as a team," said Nick.

Nick credits Fleming with helping him develop useful skills, including multi-tasking, developing a menu and costing it out, accounting and management.

"Owning your own business is great, there is a lot of long hours and a huge amount of responsibility, but it is worth it because you are doing it for yourself," said Nick. "Fleming definitely prepared me to own and operate my own business."

Natalie said running the business is like having a third child, because it requires constant attention, devotion, commitment and focus. "I do feel that Fleming has added to my preparations in running the restaurant," said Natalie. "I still find myself drawing information from the classes I took, or referring to a textbook or notes that I kept."