Steven Rodriguez shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Steven, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What is a normal day like for you right now?
If you ever decide to live full time in the mountains of Colorado, you’ll quickly come to understand the meaning of mud season. Its a time where things slow down, and we are in-between seasons. As things begin to shift – weather, activities, time, its a chance to reset and channel ones focus before the holiday rush. I take this time to go on vacation and reset mentally, work with producers on getting the ingredients needed for the upcoming seasonal menu, and to recipe test and design the next menu. Its a healthy balance of work and play.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Steven Anthony, and I started a luxury private chef business a number of years ago. My wish was to take my Puerto Rican heritage, complete with flavors I cherish from my upbringing, and infuse that into local Colorado produce. What happens is a menu rife with creativity, flavor, and delicious bites. Each season is an opportunity to showcase local growers and producers throughout the state.
It has been an incredible journey over the last 5 years. As the business grows, I feel more connected to an area that I love, and feel more rooted here in the alpine. Every menu allows me to grow as a chef and weave humble ingredients with a creative twist. Seemingly simple ingredients like potatoes, quinoa, yak, and chiles have a lovely story behind them. Sourcing throughout the state has enabled me to witness different areas of Colorado and provide an intimate food experience in various mountain towns such as Telluride, Aspen, and Breckenridge.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
Landing in Bangkok a number of years ago to help open a restaurant for an aspiring (and now quite decorated) Thai chef. It was a moment of great learning, not only as a cook, but as a human. I was in a foreign country far from my original comfort zone. It was an empowering experience to be a part of, and one I’ll never forget. Carrying only a bag of clothes and my knives to the other side of the planet helped me grow and mature emotionally, physically, and professionally.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
Slow down. Its a good quality to be ambitious and hungry for the chase, but timing is tricky. Things take time to unfold and happen. I have zero regrets for anything I have done up until this point, but I would tell myself never to forget to stop and smell the roses. Take time for yourself in all aspects – mentally for a rest, emotionally to check in with yourself, and professionally as you “climb the mountain”.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
Respecting the ingredient and the recipe. If you are choosing to cook a particular cuisine, you should pay respect towards how ingredients are used within the dish. It’s essential to understand how people in the past used the ingredient for a particular dish so as not to lose its essence. One of my favorite examples was learning to cook in Thailand. Here, I wasn’t given recipes with all sorts of ratios or ingredients explicitly laid out, but instead was told the dish needed to be spicy, fresh, savory, or some combination of, to make that dish what it is. This style really helps you appreciate what the dish is supposed to be, so that you can then add creative twists to your dish.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. If you retired tomorrow, what would your customers miss most?
The connections and vibe around the table. I am very fortunate in the opportunities and moments I am able to share with my guests. From bachelorettes to families coming together for a special moment, I am able to provide a unique dining experience that allows my guests to be comfortable yet indulgent, laid back, and surprised. What transpires is a beautiful meal we get to share together.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://chefstevenanthony.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chef.stevenanthony
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chef.stevenanthony
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/boriqua-breckenridge-2?osq=boriqua
- Other: Google: https://maps.app.goo.gl/zJcKKzZxZcBnpD8a9
Image Credits
Whitney Rae : @whitneyraephotography
