Maira Isabel Morales, Corporate Executive Chef for Schlotzsky’s, says the restaurant industry has been a place of opportunity for her, in a LatinaLista Guest Voz column.
The chef, who was born and raised in Puerto Rico, explains:
“The facts speak for themselves: growth in Hispanic-owned restaurants has far outpaced the overall restaurant industry. Nearly one in four industry chefs are Hispanic, and restaurants have more Hispanic managers than any other industry.
I’m proud of my heritage, I’m proud of the diversity of this industry, and I’m proud to have joined a company in FOCUS that celebrates and appreciates diversity. And, as a mother of a four-year-old daughter, I’m proud to pass these lessons along to her, along with, of course, a passion for cooking.
Over the course of my career, I have worked in a number of different roles in culinary arts – from recipe developer and cookbook author, to chef on TV (Telemundo, Univision PR, culinary professor), to restaurant owner and Executive Chef. I’ve been lucky to be featured in numerous television shows in the U.S., Puerto Rico and throughout Latin America, including The Travel Channel's "Bizarre Foods" and Telemundo Network's "Levántate”, among others.
While I haven’t always embraced my Hispanic heritage, I have come to learn that being different is something to be celebrated.
I am proud to work in an industry that embraces us for who we are, and for the different experiences we bring to the table. To succeed in the culinary field, you don’t need to look and sound like everyone else – in fact, you need to stand out! What I love most about this industry is that it will reward you for being yourself, for constantly learning, and for working hard.
That’s what I tell young aspiring chefs whenever I get the chance. If you’re willing to work hard, the restaurant industry can open up doors, and give you one heck of a life.”
Read more from Maira in LatinaLista.
