Commentary
Schlotzsky's exec chef: 'Gender doesn't define success'
The chef, who was featured in numerous television shows on The Travel Channel, Telemundo Network, the Cooking Channel and Fox Utilísima Network, is fluent in English and Spanish, speaks a little French and is now learning Porteguese.
March 14, 2017 by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com
Editor's note: In honor of International Women's Day and Women's History Month, FastCasual interviewed several female leaders in the restaurant industry to learn about their success and how they feel about leading in a male-dominated industry. To read the entire series, click here.
Before joining Schlotzsky's as executive chef, Maira Morales served as executive chef at Disney World Golf Courses and was the official ambassador and executive chef of Puerto Rico at the Epcot Food and Wine Fest 2014. The chef, who was featured in numerous television shows on The Travel Channel, Telemundo Network, the Cooking Channel and Fox Utilísima Network, is fluent in English and Spanish, speaks a little French and is now learning Portuguese.
She believes gender doesn't define success.
"Forget about your gender as this doesn't define anything," she said. "The brain and heart are genderless. We can do it all and we have proven it over and over again."
Got her start in the biz
Morales was born and raised in Puerto Rico, and at age 19 she attended the Johnson and Wales University, where she received an associate degree in Food and Beverage Management and fell in love with the restaurant industry,
Why women make great leaders
"Women and men are equally intelligent and capable of being in leaderships roles. Tradition has put men as the leaders, but females are now earning higher degrees, working full time, raising a family — and in some cases — doing it by themselves. We prove every day that we are the biggest multi-taskers on Earth. There aren't any reasons we shouldn't take on leadership roles."
Advice to women looking to lead
"Educate yourself as much as possible and never stop learning. There is never enough education one can have. Learn about everything related to your industry and stay up to date on the latest trends by getting higher degrees, attending continuing education courses, reading industry blogs and magazines and attending trade shows."
Travel as far as you can. It provides you with a different perspective of life, as you learn from other cultures, cuisines and lifestyle. Your world will be different as you'll see it from someone else's eyes.
Surround yourself with the most intelligent people you know in your field. Learn all about them and emulate what you can. Find a mentor to look up to.
Be very passionate about what you do and be the ultimate best you can be at it. Know that you are not perfect, but reach for perfection every day.
Break the molds and be unique; there are too many mediocre and average people in the world. Don't be one of them if you want to make a difference.
Make a list of your accomplishments. If anyone ever tries to put you down, read this list and be proud of how amazing you are."
About Cherryh Cansler
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