Vitalia Montrose Culinary Director Appreciates Their Mentor for Inspiration

In a world where culinary masterpieces are pushing the boundaries of flavors and presentations, there exists an invaluable secret to culinary success, mentorship. Behind every chef’s triumph, there stands a guiding light, a culinary mentor, who ignited the flame of passion and drive, unlocking the true potential within a budding culinary enthusiast. A mentor can present oneself in a variety of ways. It may be hands-on cooking in the kitchen and guiding with culinary techniques, providing direction with passion, drive, and inspiration, or pushing the mentee through the tough days, knowing the outcome will be much greater. The person who can spark creativeness and help shape a culinarian’s journey from raw talent to culinary brilliance, creates the type of stories we love to share at Vitalia Montrose.

The person most instrumental in my personal growth and drive in the culinary field is Josh Beauchamp. Though many others throughout my career have had an impact, Josh has been the one that has made the most significant impact on my role as a leader and my personal growth.

We first met almost four years ago when I started with Arrow Senior Living, and I had the opportunity to work with Josh for that entire time. We worked closely together on a weekly basis on leadership techniques, employee engagement, and personal growth.

I continue to stay in contact with Josh and we discuss a wide range of topics including work, life, music, New Orleans, and food. We have a lot in common, so it makes for very fun conversations. They are some of my favorites.

To me, a mentor means so many things. It is someone who I look up to, appreciate their way of thinking, and value their experience. In addition, trust is a huge aspect in having someone as a mentor. Without trust, there is no reason to have a mentor. Who is, by definition, an experienced and trusted advisor.

If I had to create one dish that best represents my mentor, it would be a dish native to New Orleans. Josh is from Slidell, LA, so a lot of the food he loves and creates is inspired by that area. Plus, I absolutely love the history and magic that is New Orleans. So, it would be very fitting for me to create something with a New Orleans influence. A dish that comes to mind would be Bananas Foster Beignets with a Cafe Au Lait Creme Anglaise.

As we continue to push our creative menus and flavors, we can reflect on all the amazing culinary mentors out there who have dedicated their time, energy, and wisdom to help develop us as Culinary Directors, along with their teams. As the culinary world evolves, one thing remains constant, the torch of culinary mentorship will continue to shine and bring new, upcoming chefs into our communities. Let us celebrate this tradition by raising a toast to the mentors who enriched our lives, giving us the opportunity to taste their delectable creations.