Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Marcel Vizcarra. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Marcel, thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?
Got it from great mentors like my parents and the strong chefs I trained under. Like Not cutting corners, always getting things done now rather than later and trying to be the best/ giving your best at whatever you are doing.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
For my very first venture- Llama restaurant- my main motivation was representing my country’s heritage, culture and cuisine in a special way, by creating a unique Peruvian culinary experience guests can immerse themselves in.
Opening Maracuya by Llama (the sister coffee shop) with my wife Staci was very much an effort to connect with our community through coffee and treats in a tropical boutique setting offering different savory and sweet baked goods, as well as the coolest vibes.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Curiosity- a willingness to explore flavor combinations that are unique and unexpected. Determination- set a goal for yourself and don’t stop until Your you achieve it.
Excellence- strive for excellence in everything you do. Every role, regardless how big or small has importance. Expect excellence from yourself and push yourself to the highest standards in every role you take on.
Never stop dreaming.
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
I learned to ask for help instead of trying to solve every single problem or challenge thrown at me by myself . I was able to find reliable people that I can lean on when I need them the most.
Slowing down and taking a mental break as well as meditation have been very helpful tools that I learned and been using for the past couple of years.
I learned to prioritize mental health not only for my own good but for the ones that surround me.
Contact Info:
- Website: LLAMARESTAURANT.com
- Instagram: @Maracuyabyllama
