Success in our business is never a linear path, and it will always be met with unexpected ups and downs that will challenge you at your lowest and enthrall you at your highest. After our guest, Ana Castro of Lengua Madre and the up-and-coming Acamaya, worked in a New York City restaurant with a toxic environment that nearly killed her, she was contemplating leaving the industry altogether and pursuing a career in her family’s line of work as an architect. But, after departing New York City for New Orleans, Ana began to surround herself with true friends who supported her and also lifted her up in a way where she began to enjoy the industry again and found a new food language that was at the core of her being and connected her to her roots as a Mexican. Lengua Madre, which translates to Mother Tongue, perfectly describes the style of food she is cooking, where she’s able to use inspiration from her family’s roots as well as the vast and seemingly endless flavors of Mexican cuisine to create awe-inspiring meals that have made the industry stand up and notice. What Ana may lack in experience running a restaurant, she makes up for in youthful exuberance and bullish energy that is infectious when you hear her talk.
Here's what else was discussed:
Supporters of the show:
A huge shout out to our sponsors, Maxwell McKenney and Singer Equipment, for their unwavering support, which allows us to be able to bring these conversations to you. Check out their websites for all the amazing equipment they can supply your restaurant with to make your team more efficient and successful.
Welcome to our newest sponsor, Meez, which is one of the most powerful tools you can have as a cook and chef because it allows you to have a free repository for all of your recipes, techniques and methods so that you never lose them. Meez does way more than just recipe development though, it's an incredibly powerful tool that any chef or restaurant would benefit from.
Check out and follow us on Instagram
Email Eli with any comments, concerns, criticisms, guest requests or any other ideas or thoughts you might have about the show. eli@chefradiopodcast.com
Episode 79: Chef Rich Torrisi of Torrisi Restaurant and Major Food Group
Episode 78: Chef Eli Collins of a.kitchen + a.bar
Episode 77: Chef Stuart Brioza of State Bird Provisions, The Progress and The Anchovy Bar
Episode 76: Chef Christopher Kearse of Forsythia
Episode 75: Chef Andrew Carmellini of The Dutch & NoHo Hospitality Group
Episode 74: The Kitchen Culture Code
Episode 73: Chef Philip Krajeck of Rolf & Daughters and Folk Restaurants
Episode 72: Geno Vento of Geno’s World Famous Cheesesteak's
Episode 71: Chef Kurt Evans of Everybody Eats
Episode 70: Jen Carroll of Carroll Couture Cuisine
Nok Suntaranon of Kalaya Restaurant
Chefs Angie Rito & Scott Tacinelli of Don Angie NYC
Chef Yehuda Sichel of Huda
Chefs Scott Calhoun and Dave Feola of Ember & Ash
Justin Rosenberg of Honeygrow
Chef Wylie Dufresne of wd~50
Christopher Curtin of Éclat Chocolate
Chef Ron McKinlay of Canoe Restaurant
Chef Tyler Akin of Le Cavalier
Alex Talbot of Curiosity Doughnuts & Ideas In Food
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
50 Tastes Of Gray
Walk-In Talk Podcast
The Recipe with Kenji and Deb
Just So Stories
Great Expectations
Gastropod
Solicited Advice with Alison Roman