Out of all the talks at this year’s MAD Symposium, this one by Chef Rosio Sanchez was my favourite. Because she has lived some of the principles that are at the core of #BetterCheflife and it was great to see that they worked for someone successful. She describes her journey that began for her as the daughter of Mexican immigrants in Chicago who found herself many years and kitchens later when she set up her own taquerías in Copenhagen. We were also very lucky to be treated to lunch cooked by her team!
Her path echoes that of many chefs: seeking to master technique and then unique challenges (which working for Noma presented her with). She observed that although she tried to add her own personality while executing someone else’s vision, it still felt like a compromise. But this is where she had to face the fact that she hadn’t yet made the time to get clear on what kind of food she stood for.
This is the critical part of her message: taking the time to find out who you really are and what matters to you. Something that we rarely do as chefs. For her, the result impacted not just her but also the business she built. And here I’m going to highlight that it’s no different when it comes to work-life balance.
She emphasises the divide between the expectation to serve without questioning and our own authenticity as chefs. Importantly, she reminds us that the best chefs find ways to express that authenticity. And she only found hers by sitting with the difficult questions which takes courage and persistence.
Can I add that these are also qualities that you share, chefs?