Today we’d like to introduce you to Miguel Diaz.
Hi Miguel, We’re so excited to have you on the platform. Before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
I was born in El Paso, Texas, and grew up in Juarez, Chihuahua, until the age of 7, so the first half of my childhood, I was raised in Mexico by my parents and grandparents. My mom married my stepdad when I was 7, and then we moved to San Antonio, where I first learned English at age 8. My childhood was exciting because I was exposed to Northern Mexican traditions. Then, I spent my formative years in Central Texas, which made it easy to move to Austin to pursue my cooking career professionally. My humble beginnings of flipping hamburgers and fries led me to appreciate hard work and later helped me realize that being a chef was my calling at age 22. I attended a North Austin Le Cordon Bleu School(TCA-Texas Culinary Academy). Upon graduating, I started working at restaurants in West Campus and eventually Downtown Austin. Before leaving to pursue other opportunities, I became Executive Sou Chef For MML under Executive Chef Jedd Adair. This led to stints opening Olamae with Michael Fotjasek, Dai Due Taqueria with Jesse Griffiths, and eventually Oseyo with Lynn Miller as Executive Chef, where I’m still at the helm.
As a first-generation Mexican American, my experience has been challenging at times but mostly rewarding on many levels. Having to navigate being a Mexican kid in 80’s Mexico/San Antonio, and a border kid in the 90s in El Paso after moving back after my mom’s second divorce, I’ve experienced many forms of discrimination at all levels. Still, I learned to transform the anger into positivity and motivation to pursue my professional cooking career. Currently, I’m focused on developing other concepts and future projects with my life partner and always trying to develop myself to become a better leader while still staying true to myself and my humble upbringing. Hence, I always remember where I came from.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story. Has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
I love smooth roads as much as anyone else, but to say that my life has been smooth would be a lie. I’ve experienced my bumps along the way, but with each bump, I’ve become stronger in mind and spirit, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. When I moved to San Antonio in the mid-80s, my teachers would scold me and tell me that I was in America and needed to speak English before I could speak English well. It motivated me to learn English faster so that I could defend myself better and teach others to do the same. Nobody can ever take knowledge away from you, and I knew that at a very young age. In the years before moving to Austin to go to school, I endured different forms of discrimination, from racial profiling to blatant harassment by police with too much time on their hands, which made me angry as a young adult, but I persevered. I had to unteach myself that the world doesn’t hate me and that I had control over what I could change. I keep those memories close to my heart because they are mine and are my unique experience.
Thanks for sharing that. So, you could tell us a bit more about your work.
I’m a well-rounded chef trained in traditional French techniques, but my specialty and passion is interior Mexican cuisine. By default, I could be considered to specialize in Asian food, but it wasn’t intentional, hahaha. I’m known for being the opening head chef of Elizabeth Street Cafe, which I am very proud of. It’s still a trendy place with an outlet at St. Vincent in NOLA. I’m currently the Executive Chef of Oseyo and have developed the menu and recipes, so I’m still learning and teaching myself more about Korean food and culture with the help of owner Lynn Miller. I’m most proud of the restaurants I’ve helped open that are still around and hold a soft spot in my heart for all the ones that shuttered. What sets me apart from others is my ability to be a natural leader and develop people to be their best selves; I take great pride in being a strong leader and a man of the people to my staff.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs, or other resources you think our readers should check?
I enjoy self-improvement books, such as Brene Brown, that help me strengthen my leadership skills. I love listening to the How I Built This podcast to get inspired by others who’ve pursued their dreams, too. I also like books and audiobooks by Eckhart Tolle; I find his voice soothing, and his advice is about finding your inner best self.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @cantinflado
