Wearing the Toque with Chef Lij Heron
Chef De Cusine - Lij Heron
1) What was your first restaurant industry job?
A banquet cook at Hilton, Kingston Jamaica. Had to do a lot peeling on my first day and I also cut myself on the first day.
2) When you first walk into a restaurant, what do you look for as signs that it’s well-run?
Clean and the equipment is organised
3) Is there anything you absolutely hate cooking?
Nope. But he older I get the harder it is to bend because of my kness
4) What do you consider to be your biggest success as a chef?
To mentor someone that becomes even better than me
5) What is the most transcendental dining experience you’ve ever had?
When I dined in Malaysia for the first time. It was the first time I was tasting authentic Asian food. Eat bite was an explosion in my mouth
6) Are there any foods you will never eat?
Nope I eat everything once
7) If one chef from history could prepare one dish for you, who would it be?
Joël Robuchon
8) Is there a story that, in your opinion, sums up how interesting the restaurant industry can be?
There’s never a dull moment in my industry
ThriveIN5
What motivated you to pursue your passion?
My family on a whole is pretty career driven. First I wanted to do electrical engineering, and my parents supported it. Then I changed to becoming a chef and they still supported me. Also
Who inspires you the most?
My wife Kari Heron she is my biggest critic and inspiration. Also the people that mentored me in the past. And myself, I always try to improve on each menu that I do making it better.
How do you handle the various challenges surrounding what you do?
Wow I try to remain calm!!!! But that’s hard to do in my profession. I just look for a solution when I am faced with a difficult problem. Look for the solution instead
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Back home in Jamaica. Working at Sandals as Corporate Executive Chef or Making chefandsteward.com into a food brand that will open restaurants and maybe a boutique hotel
What advice would you give to someone up and coming?
Don’t think of the now. Think of the future everything in life is not easy . Its hard to accomplish things you just have to be willing to never give up. Always find away
