09/02/2026
At the age of 16 I had my first cooking job. We made so many mistakes in that kitchen. We had the opportunity to cook in the 2000s for many artists, politicians and most of Cagueño Community in Puerto Rico.
One day the owner of the business told us, his sister-in-law was the Chef of Hard Rock Cafe international and was coming the weekend to teach us on prep, cooking and saving.
I immediately left jealousy, angry and I even felf I was not good enough to cook. I was like honey I've been cooking in my life I don't need a woman to come and show me more, I already have a great taste and why is she's going to come and show us in this kitchen of 8 men.
Lisa came to the kitchen, with her chef jacket, her tools and the most beautiful chef shoes you can imagine. She said: " I have a daughter, I only will work on the weekends and I don't clean.
She gave a small dough to everyone and told us to make an Empanada. All the cooks laugh out loud. Meanwhile I had three empanadas already done. The smallest empanadas you get as an appetizer.
Everyone is back to their position and I ask Lisa, why did you make us do the empanada. Didn't you come here to teach us something?
Lisa responded looking me in the eyes very seriously, not everyone can make empanadas. This is how I know who I'm going to teach and not waste my time.
Thank you Chef Lisa.
