Yesterday was International Chef's Day and to celebrate, we interviewed our two favorite Chefs from all over Cabo. Chef Guillermo González from El Squid Roe and Chef Manny Serrano from Wachinango's tell us what inspired them to follow the paths they're on and much more. Give it a read or watch the video (video in Spanish).
What inspired you to be a chef?
Chef Manny Serrano
What inspired me to be a chef? Well, that's an easy question. I think everything starts at home, right? At those family parties and reunions where you can always find the grandmother or uncle cooking, someone who knows the secret, has the knowledge, and knows how to do it differently; everyone wants to know the secret. I feel like it always starts with a little awakening, wanting to know a little more, to know why and how.
Chef Guillermo Gonzalez
I was inspired by three women. Indisputably, the first was my grandmother; her seasoning, her food, everything she made was delicious; my mother, who, like her mother, puts so much love and care into everything she makes; and the daughter of a restaurant owner that I liked and I wanted to be close to her, so they gave me a job in the kitchen, and that's where it started to catch my attention more.
What do you think was fundamental for your knowledge?
Chef Manny Serrano
Always, always in life, I've been characterized by having a creative need, a need to always be learning something new, not staying behind, always be questioning, wanting to know more than the next guy, and in the moment, trying to exceed that.
Chef Guillermo González
More than anything, responsibility. Love for the kitchen, to give that extra bit, that care that characterizes the flavor.
What is your favorite dish to create?
Chef Manny Serrano
Without a doubt, lately, I've been loving to work with recipes that take time. Everything in the BBQ process, the smoking, the process of cooking something for many hours, with discipline where you have to keep an eye on the process, the timing, the temperatures, and the flavors.
Chef Guillermo González
I really enjoy Mexican food. I think that Mexican food transcends throughout the world, it's that good. I like making it because it's been in my life since I was a kid. Though, I am open to everything. I've traveled all over the world, and I've seen many things; this has made the base for my dishes stronger.
What are your favorite ingredients to mix?
Chef Manny Serrano
My favorite ingredients to fuse have to be balanced. To find the perfect balance between the condiment, the protein, and the side dish.
Chef Guillermo González
I like vegetables and condiments. Salt, I like to mix it with a large variety of proteins. I like sauces, fusing them with many things. I love a filet, its texture, all of its qualities. Those are the things I like.
What does gourmet mean to you?
Chef Manny Serrano
Gourmet, to me, you could say, is when you can take something common and present it in a way that people don't expect or to present it traditionally but to use uncommon ingredients. It's to elevate food to the next level.
Chef Guillermo González
The meaning of gourmet, well, it's not knowledge, but the versatility and being able to take advantage of the restaurant, the food, a bit of knowledge, and the seasoning. An excellent example is going to good restaurants, eating, trying, and taking things in. To me, that's gourmet.
What would you say to those who are thinking of being a chef?
Chef Manny Serrano
What would I tell those who want to be a chef? First, they're crazy, and second, it's a beautiful career that pays off morally. It pays off with the feeling of knowing that something that you thought up, imagined, and balanced out, wasn't just good to you, before anyone else -and you have to be honest with yourself- but that others also enjoy it.
Chef Guillermo González
Honestly, it's a beautiful career. With a lot of satisfaction, though, it's rough when you really get into it. In reality, it's about dedication, love, consistency, responsibility, having character, and strengthening yourself as a person. It's very fun; there are many things that come with it, including family, it fills you with gratitude and satisfaction.
We invite you to reach out to us if you want to grow in the food industry; we're looking for your talent.