We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Cecilia Figueroa a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Cecilia , thank you so much for making time for us today. We can’t wait to dive into your story and the lessons you’ve learned along the way, but maybe we can start with something foundational to your success. How have you gone about developing your ability to communicate effectively?
Working at a private club with seven operating kitchens, I’ve developed my communication skills by building strong relationships with my team and colleagues across all departments. Being the youngest sous, I’ve worked to establish trust and credibility, making it a priority to learn people’s names, understand their personalities, and engage with them beyond work-related conversations. I regularly check in with my team and other chefs, offering support and feedback in a clear, transparent way. I also make sure to stay aligned with management in other kitchens by reviewing BEOs and discussing any concerns or new ideas, ensuring seamless collabs across the club. Communication is truly one of the key aspects to operating successfully and efficiently. I enjoy work related conversations, and simply asking my coworkers how they’re doing, it goes a long way!
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
Growing up I watched a lot of cooking shows. I almost always had the Food Network on, and would dream of one day owning a restaurant. Now as an adult, and knowing the information I know, a restaurant isn’t really the goal anymore. I want to become a culinary sponge. I was recently promoted from Demi chef to Sous chef at my job, and have expanded to taking shifts in different kitchens. I want to hone my skillsets enough to work in as many restaurants as possible for the best chefs in the industry. Outside of work, I want to create a brand for myself in hopes of doing more private events, dinners, or even personal private chef opportunities. Lastly, I have been working on podcast ideas for others in the industry to understand they’re not alone in feeling overwhelmed, burnout, stuck in their workplace, etc. Im young but I have felt so many different ways in my culinary career already. I am just getting started, and there is so much room for growth.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
I learned to cook early on in life by watching my grandma in the kitchen. She would have me help her, and now as an adult she passes along her recipes to me. During covid, I did a semester of culinary classes at Kendall College in downtown Chicago, while working as a kitchen lead for Jaks Warehouse. I later worked for a local business’ kitchen and we only provided to-go services on weekends while prepping food throughout the week. By 2021 I found myself on my way to Charlotte, NC for culinary school at Johnson & Wales University where I met my roommate, and best friend Katie. Katie referred me to Myers Park Country Club, and I was hired on as a line level employee. Now, two years later, I have found myself leading my own kitchen. I have met so many different people in the industry, from all walks of life, and I carry a small piece of them with me everyday, fro. sayings, to tips and tricks around the kitchen, and I hope to one day make an impact on others the same way others have made on me.
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
Everyone in the industry knows that it can get stressful and chaotic in the kitchen. I find myself getting overwhelmed sometimes and having to pivot to find a solution. I walk into the cooler (to regulate my body temp) and take some deep breaths. Sometimes I even step away to pray about it, because for me God is my creator and I have to trust in Him. It’s easier said than done, but trying to center my thoughts and remind myself that I am where I am for a reason and it will all work out is what works best for me. Things will go wrong in life, at work, at home, it’s all about how we react and what we make out of the lesson we learned.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chefceciliaf?igsh=YzB0aHI0OG4xZjAz&utm_source=qr
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cecilia-figueroa-5a304425a?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
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