Vitalia Solon 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 Solon.

The person most instrumental in my personal growth and drive in the culinary field is Neil Zabriskie. We met at El Colmado, a restaurant in New York City, where I was fortunate to work under him for nearly three years. We continue to stay in contact through social media and via chat and text.

Neil means the world to me. He taught me not only how to cook, but how to manage with a fair outlook and an acute calmness that shines through in the most stressful situations.

If I had to create one dish that best represents my mentor, it would be seafood paella with lobster added. Neil trained me in a Spanish kitchen where we constantly made lobster and lots of paella.

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.