From My First Job at Wendy’s to the Chief Tasting Officer Search
- jsmith14099
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
Sometimes life has a funny way of coming full circle.
When I was 18 years old, my first W-2 job was at Wendy’s. Like a lot of first jobs, it wasn’t just about the paycheck—it was about learning how to show up on time, work with a team, and understand the rhythm of a fast-paced environment.
Recently, I came across a post announcing that Wendy’s is searching for a Chief Tasting Officer, a role that would involve creating content and trying menu items. Seeing that announcement made me laugh a little, because it reminded me where I started.
Back then, I was learning the basics of working in a restaurant. Now, years later, I’m a creator producing podcasts and music, and suddenly there’s a job that sits right at the intersection of food, creativity, and storytelling.
A Full-Circle Moment
When I saw the announcement, I decided to make a short video about it. I paired a clip from my podcast with a sped-up video of me eating Wendy’s and added one of my songs underneath called “Classic.”
The song choice wasn’t random.
That day I ordered a Double Big Bacon Classic with fries, nuggets, and a lemonade. The word “Classic” felt like a perfect little pun for the moment, especially since it also happened to be the title of the song playing in the background.
That said, I should be honest: my usual order isn’t the burger.
My favorite item on the menu has always been the Spicy Chicken Sandwich. But that day I was simply in the mood for a burger, and the Big Bacon Classic felt like the right choice for the video.
Creativity Meets Storytelling
The idea behind the video wasn’t to overproduce anything. I didn’t add extra talking or commentary. Instead, I let the podcast audio tell the story while the visuals played out.
In a way, it became a small piece of storytelling:
The past: my first job at Wendy’s
The present: creating content and music
The moment: seeing a brand look for a “Chief Tasting Officer”
It’s a simple reminder that the experiences we have early in life often show up again later in unexpected ways.
The Bigger Picture
Whether or not I ever become a Chief Tasting Officer, the moment itself was worth capturing. It was a chance to reflect on how far things can come—from working your first job to creating content that connects different parts of your story.
Sometimes the most interesting content isn’t planned months ahead. It comes from noticing when life lines up in a way that makes you stop and say:
“Well… that’s kind of classic.”
Classic - Smith Street https://open.spotify.com/track/4VRDcGpd1pL77xl8y3wo2S?si=35760c9756f549a1
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