Meet Ashley Vazquez | Professional Chef

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ashley Vazquez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ashley, can you share a quote or affirmation with us?
I heard this quote years ago off a show I used to watch as a child and it always stuck with me.

“Good, better, best. Never stop to rest until the good gets better and better, best!”

I like that it’s talking about striving to get better everyday until you are at your best. It speaks to my ambitious heart!

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. 
My professional career started 13 years ago as a daycare cook. It wasn’t anything glamorous, but it was my first taste of cooking for people and seeing them happy after eating what I prepared.

After going to culinary school and graduating I got my first actual chef position at a small Italian bistro. It was there that I learned it would not be an easy career or path for a woman in a male dominated industry.

I had to work very hard to get noticed and I had to demand my recognition otherwise I’d be pushed to the back, and I refused to be pushed around just because I was a woman. I came early and left late to prove my worth, and Little by little I got my recognition and began moving up, and by the time I left that place I was one of the head chefs!

I learned that I had to truly believe in myself and my abilities and work hard to hone them. All to ensure I continued to move up the ladder. Eventually I got my very first Executive chef position and I cried because I had worked so
Incredibly hard to get there.

What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
What do I want the world to know about my story? That’s a great question. I want everyone to know that I worked hard, pushed and elbowed my way through a male dominated industry until I found the success i so craved. I became an Executive chef, then I opened 2 restaurants that were pretty successful, moved to the Houston area during covid. Closed my restaurants and converted them into a catering company, became the executive chef of one of the local yacht clubs and began teaching as a culinary instructor all simultaneously!!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
First I would take them downtown to L’artisans it’s a fabulous French restaurant with amazing food! The Chef/owner there is phenomenal!

Then I would take them to Juliet’s they have a great atmosphere, food and drinks!

Also there is a really great place that i discovered recently downtown Discovery Green. I love the neon pathway it’s a great photo spot!

I would also hit up some of the local farmers markets! I love a good farmers market. It makes my little chef heart happy buying fresh produce and locally sourced items to use in my menus.

Of course you have to travel to the Post Oak area. I love the shops and restaurants there. It has a great night life!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I credit my husband for supporting me and encouraging me everyday on my culinary journey. He has been my biggest cheerleader and I adore him for that!

I’d also like to credit my parents for always pushing me to go farther and work harder to become the best version of myself no matter what field I chose.

Website: https://www.facebook.com/BPpizzeria?mibextid=LQQJ4d

Instagram: Chef__ashley