Linda Rooney

Linda Rooney of Linda's Bistro in Aiken, SC transitioned to the industry after a horseback riding career began to become too physically taxing. She lived in New York City and sold her famous shortbread cookies to Dean & Deluca, before it was a massive chain, and eventually produced 60 percent of their baked goods. She then moved to Aiken, SC to open her own restaurant, Linda's Bistro, which is a full-service, white table cloth Italian American restaurant with French influences. Linda's Bistro has been open since 1998. She is the only cook in the kitchen.

Read "Small is Beautiful: Linda Rooney's one woman kitchen"