We recently had the chance to connect with Erica Medina and have shared our conversation below.
Erica , it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
Music. Always music.
Even in my darkest days, my happiest moments, the tears and the laughs, it has always been and will always be a central part of my life. It is my place of peace, a space where I can quiet my mind and focus entirely on sound. Music allows me to release any emotion, anywhere, at any time, and often when I do not have the words to express what I am feeling, music does it for me. I connect with all genres as long as the artist is truly passionate because that passion and integrity shine through in their work. Every song has a time and place where it resonates with me, and music has the power to transform any moment, shift my perspective, and help me find myself again. It is both my refuge and my constant companion.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hello !
My name is Erica Medina, I am a chef who’s endlessly inspired by creativity, connection, and the joy food brings to people’s lives.
My love for cooking started in the kitchen with my dad, and my grandmother’s legacy as a caterer in Mexico City still guides me today. For me, food has always been about more than just what’s on the plate. It is about stories, culture, and creating memories together.
I’ve spent most of my career in private clubs, where I get to do what I love most: bring people together through food and experiences. Whether it is a chef’s table dinner in the kitchen, a playful and interactive kids’ menu, or a large-scale artistic display that feels more like a piece of art than a buffet, I love pushing boundaries and finding new ways to surprise and delight people.
What is closest to my heart, though, is mentorship. I stay connected with young chefs in my community, often returning to my own high school culinary program to support students as they discover their path. I believe giving back and lifting others up is just as important as cooking a beautiful dish.
Right now, I’m excited about creating new experiences, from wellness-inspired events to menus that balance comfort, creativity, and health.
My brand is all about people & connection.
If a diner or young chef leaves one of my dinners smiling, feeling cared for, or remembering a dish that made them pause for a moment, then I know I’ve done my job.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
To be honest, I grew up with very little, almost what felt like negative opportunity. My mother struggled with her own habits and wasn’t the most stable role model, while my father was an undocumented immigrant. Because of that, I had to grow up fast. I was constantly surrounded by poverty, danger, and instability, which gave me a lot of knowledge, maturity, and perspective at a young age. But it also left me shy, timid, and vulnerable. I was the kid clinging to my parents’ legs, too afraid to step out on my own.
Everything shifted when I found the kitchen. I already knew what hard work was and what it meant to be a good egg, but I was still scared of the world.
Cooking changed that. It gave me my voice, my confidence, my courage, and my sense of self-worth. The kitchen demanded that I speak up, stand my ground, and learn how to navigate pressure instead of shrinking away from it. It taught me resilience and how to turn fight-or-flight into focus and growth. And most importantly, it showed me who I was meant to be.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me more lessons than success ever could, more than I could ever count or probably even realize.
Growing up with instability and uncertainty, I learned how to navigate fear, stand on my own, and find strength in the smallest victories. It gave me resilience, patience, empathy, and perspective, qualities that success alone cannot teach.
Watching my mom and her struggles taught me one of the deepest lessons yet, what it looks like to give up, what it looks like to live as an addict, and the hard, cold realities of life. Seeing her experiences at a young age was in its own way one of the best lessons a parent could give, a gift that most children in traditional upbringing could never receive. It taught me to never fall into addiction, self control, to recognize the dangers and consequences, and to be vigilant in protecting my life and relationships.
I have watched people all around me struggle with these challenges, and it has given me clarity and resolve to never let it define or derail me.
I also chose to work in a male-dominated industry, where I was constantly judged, abused, and had to work twice as hard just to have a shot. I have worked for many chefs I would never want to emulate, and only a few I aspire to be like. That contrast taught me volumes about leadership, communication, and how to create a team culture built on care, trust, and confidence.
I would not be half the chef I am today without experiencing the struggles of old-school kitchens and leaders incapable of managing their own emotions. I have seen burnout up close and how overworking oneself, can transform even the kindest of souls. I have learned that taking care of yourself first is essential. A person cannot be a good, genuine leader on half a tank of gas.
Suffering has shaped me into someone who leads with intention, courage, and empathy. It gave me the clarity, confidence, and resilience to not only survive but thrive in the kitchen and in life.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
Where smart people are getting it wrong today is in their resistance to change, creativity, and the ideas of the youth.
Our world faces many challenges, not just politically, that could be addressed if those considered “smart” were more open to trying new and creative solutions, even ones that feel scary. Change is uncomfortable, but all good things start off that way. If we keep plugging in the same variables, we will continue to get the same results. Today’s problems require thinking differently, approaching situations with compassion, and being open to collaboration. By embracing positivity, fresh perspectives, and innovative solutions, especially from the younger generation, I believe we could make meaningful progress and create a better place for everyone.
Even in my industry, this holds very true.
Clubs are built on tradition, and while the next generation is excited about the future and the possibilities for innovation, many still cling to the traditional club chef model, even when members are on board for new ideas and change. I have seen extremely capable chefs and leaders passed over for Executive Chef positions while the traditional club chef is being chosen time after time. I have watched talented individuals leave the industry after losing these opportunities again and again, which is truly sad and ultimately hinders growth, change, and the future of our field.
If we keep cutting out the people with hope and vision, all we will do is repeat the past.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. If you laid down your name, role, and possessions—what would remain?
The core of who I am:
my heart, my smile, my energy, my care, my hope, my compassion, my empathy, my passion, and my will to do good.
I was surrounded by hardship at a young age, and that shaped me into someone determined to live in the opposite way, to bring light instead of darkness. I will never forget what it feels like to be a dishwasher, a line cook, a woman, an immigrant, a helpless hungry child.
These experiences have shown me that these inner qualities are all you really need.
It’s also about how things feel after you leave them.
Making sure everything you do benefits not just yourself, but the whole.
Once you’ve been through the dark, it’s easier to keep smiling. No small inconvenience can knock my smile or shake my core values.
It doesn’t matter what title you hold or what you own. If you carry benevolence into everything you do, you will make a lasting impact on everyone and everything you touch. You will bring goodness, positivity, and meaning into your work and community.
To me, that is life at its truest—beyond any name, title, or possessions, it’s the values and care you leave behind that define you.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://medinamakesit.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericaemilia
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericaemedina/
