Staff Spotlight – Joslyn Mink

Name: Joslyn Mink

Pronouns: She/Her
Hometown: Menomonee Falls, WI
Educational /Professional Background: I earned my Botany Undergraduate Degree and Environment & Resources Masters’ Degree from UW Madison. This was followed by a decade of working in the food industry, starting as a Production Manager to Pastry Chef to General Manager all within Underground Food Collective. This led to doing pop-ups with my now-husband, Charlie, around town under our business name Bastard. Good word about our pop-ups resulted in me taking on a position as Head Chef and helping to open two restaurants in downtown Madison: Settle Down Tavern in May 2020 and Turn Key in September 2022.
How long have you worked at GWS? I began in July 2023
What is your role in the department? I am the Finance & Operations Coordinator. This consists of helping folks in the Department complete purchases, assisting with daily department operations, and serving as the assistant to the Department Chair.
What do you like about working in GWS? It is such a departure from my previous cooking career, and I am cherishing the differences between the two. I really enjoy my new work/life balance and being back on the rhythm of the academic school year. Additionally, I appreciate everyone I get to work with, and the place of understanding and generosity that everyone here treats each other with is truly special. I also love all the quiet time I get to spend working with excel spreadsheets, which is one of my happy places.
What books are on your nightstand? Currently I have several books on my nightstand: Maria Bamford’s Sure, I’ll Join Your Cult, Kelley Armstrong’s Murder at Haven’s Rock (newest volume in a murder-mystery series that I enjoy), Glennon Doyle’s Untamed, and a new cookbook that I have been enjoying written by Brandon Jew and Tienlon Ho, Mister Jiu’s in Chinatown: Recipes and Stories from the Birthplace of Chinese American Food.
Do you have any media recommendations to share? My favorite books I have read in the past year were Barbara Kingsolver’s Demon Copperhead and Min Jin Lee’s Pachinko. I also love listening to podcasts, and most regularly listen to: We Can Do Hard Things, Smartless, Handsome, and Nobody’s Listening, Right? For television, we are currently enjoying the latest season of Fargo and reruns of Bob’s Burgers. 
What are your hobbies or interests? Cooking has become my hobby once again, which is a true joy! When not at work, I can be found working in my garden, going on hikes with my dog Penny, and cooking with my husband Charlie.