Homaro Cantu
Moto Restaurant
Chicago, IL USA
"As long as you're passionate and can find your creative niche, there's nothing that you can't achieve. I know that sounds cliché and ridiculous, but this place [Moto] is living proof. The answers are out there, we just have to tap into that creative side."
Career Roadmap
Homaro's work combines: Food, Science, and Problem Solving
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Here's the path I took:
High School
Bachelor's Degree
Culinary Arts/Chef Training
Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts-Portland
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life has been direct
1.
Chef Cantu experiments with "futuristic" and modern foods, plays with the physics of food.
2.
Says any of the difficulties he's faced with his restaurant are nothing compared to the challenges of working for someone else.
3.
Grew up very poor, was homeless for some time; says when you "live a life of simplicity," you start wondering how you can solve problems.
4.
He had an interest in pyrotechnics, mechanics; he'd take apart something like a lawnmower and try to invent new things with the parts.
5.
Was working at a fast-food restaurant and living out of his car; a friend encouraged him to apply for culinary school.
6.
After graduating, he'd knock on the door of any and every restaurant and offer to work for free.
7.
Once he had enough experience, he flew to Chicago with no money, no place to stay, and convinced his hero, Chef Trotter, to hire him.
8.
Says even when he was working 18-hour shifts, he'd keep things interesting by inventing new gadgets and concepts on his own time.
Defining Moments
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
I grew up in a very poor family, my mother, sister, and I were actually homeless for 3 years.