This story is rooted in nostalgia, but it’s also part dream and lots of stubbornness. I, Fany, was born and raised in Mexico and absolutely love food. When I turned one, my father decided to give me 1 kilo of chocolate truffles. Though most of it ended on the floor and my face (quite thankfully, actually), that was when my love affair for sweet treats started. 

I ALWAYS LOVED GOING TO THE MARKET WITH MY SISTER AND MOM AND WAS FASCINATED BY ALL THE STANDS THAT SURROUNDED US. 

Many years later, when it came time to figure out what I would study, I almost went to art school as I didn’t even know cooking was an option. But, once I did, there was no going back! My parents were not happy with that idea at all because they knew the sacrifices you make in this industry.

AT THE TIME THERE WERE ONLY A HANDFUL OF COOKING SCHOOLS IN MEXICO; I DIDN’T EVEN KNOW THERE WERE WOMEN CHEFS.

I absolutely loved it and ended up going to The Culinary Institute of America and graduated in 1998. After doing an externship at Akelare restaurant in San Sebastian, Spain, I returned to New York and have been here ever since. I worked in several restaurants including Rosa Mexicano, La Côte Basque and Eleven Madison Park.