Mika, Chef + Owner
What moment has defined your journey the most?
The day when I realized my eating disorder was a real problem it was a wake up call for me. For about 8 years I struggled with eating disorders and one day I told myself I had to stop. It was consuming my entire life & daily thoughts. It left no time for me nor time to pursue my goals. This was when I started my food blog where I would post healthy recipes and talk about new restaurants. This blog somehow gave me life again and kept my mind off of what I was going through. I fell in love with food again because of my blog. I would have never in a million years told you before that blog that I wanted to be nor that I was going to be a chef. I'm grateful for my past because I am who I am and am where I am today because of it.
What drives you?
Im naturally a very driven person (Capricorn, lol.) A big factor for me is being a female in such a male dominated industry. You don't see a lot of female chefs out there and especially Latinas. I want to represent and be a voice for all those young females that want to get into the culinary arts. My family also drives me. My grandfather had restaurants so making my family proud is very important for me.
How are you paving the way for people in your community to succeed? Or opening doors that were once closed?
I think just coming in and doing what I did at such a young age and being a female is paving the way. I think it lets women know that you can start at any age. I started when I was 19 and in many meetings I can recall (and still happens) people judging me and not taking me seriously. The more they underestimate me, the more motivated I am.
Most meaningful project to date?
This would have to be my first brick and mortar in Coral Gables. I spent 14 months building out this restaurant from what used to be a gym. These were the hardest 14 months of my entire life. It was blood, sweat, panic attacks and many tears. The day I opened those doors I had no idea what I was doing. No idea how to use a POS system, how to handle 1/2 of the equipment and no idea how to handle such a big staff. We figured it out, together. It made us the strong team we are today. I look back now and have to laugh. That saying "No guts, no glory" couldn't me more true. Sometimes you just have to throw yourself in the fire.
Advice or a mantra you would like to pass on?
I don't believe in luck. I believe in hard work. You're going to have amazing days and you're going to have terrible days where you just want to give up. Treasure those bad days and losses because those are going to be the times that you are going to look back on and be thankful for. Those bad days make me the person I am today, ready to handle any problem at hand.