We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Chris Binotto a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Chris , thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?
I keep my creativity alive by surrounding myself with extremely talented people, they teach me something new everyday. I make a point to continue my education but my friends/team are my true inspiration to continue pushing my culinary bounds.
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?
Embers & Ash is my live fire pop up dining experience that I created out of my love for outdoor cooking. Campfire cooking was always a fun hobby of mine and an escape from the fine dining kitchens but with Embers & Ash I’m able to flip molecular gastronomy on its head and go back to the ancient roots of cooking. Mostly focusing on “caveman” style (directly on coals) I create a beautiful multi course menu that reflects the location wether it be the beaches in Malibu or the deserts in Joshua tree, every dish is thoughtfully prepared over a live fire and served in fine dining fashion.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Teaching/Mentoring is my top skill that I feel makes the most impact on both my teams lives and our success as a whole. Spending the time to teach and mentor my cooks has continued to bring back priceless rewards years later.
Learning, I am on a constant search to learn and grow in all of my weaknesses. I think the understanding of one’s own weaknesses and creating the drive to continue educating themselves is a valued skill
Positivity, when you love what you do you get very emotionally invested and when things aren’t happening fast enough or going the right way you have to stay positive! It’s not about the problem it’s about the solution. Trusting in yourself and what you’re doing is always the right thing. No matter the challange or obsticals love and positivity will get you to where you want to be.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
I am always on the look out to partner with incredible people doing incredible things! From Produce farms to Cattle ranches and anything food related I love to support and grow with like minded dreamers!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.chefbinotto.com/
- Instagram: @chef_binotto
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChefCBinotto?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-binotto-78726b229?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
- Twitter: @chef_binotto
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@chefbinotto?si=Jq-Q_Qe25HCDhhVx
