Meet Trailblazer Susie Jimenez

Today we’d like to introduce you to Susie Jimenez.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Susie. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I grew up with the same story as Grapes of Wrath, the Mexican version. My family migrated from Mexico to pick crops in the US. For months during the season, we went from immigrant camp to immigrant camp to pick, prune and of to the next location we went until we were done. I had to help my family pick cherries from the bottom branches of the trees to help put food on the table and pay bills. That’s just what we did without thinking of what type of labor we were going through.

Once we settled in California for good, my dad created the American dream. Bought a house, we went to school full time, learned English. I was brought up by a huge family. My father and mother both having 12 brothers and sisters. I met my great grandmothers, watched them cook from scratch, run farms in Mexico. We milked our own cows, grabbed our eggs, and raise what we put on the table. That’s just how I grew up. There was bound to be one of us that was going to grow up and be a chef, how could there not be if we were surrounded by cooking for a huge family on both sides, a farm and picking crops for a living. I went to the California culinary academy of San Francisco. It was not easy, I had to pay for the school on my own, my parents were very old school and did not know what it was like to go to school beyond high school. I was growing up on my own and having to pay for this all with my own money.

The craziness but reality set in when my father had an aneurysm and passed away in the middle of me trying to be a chef. I got to speak to him before he went into surgery and he gave the best advice I still hold dear to my heart and has allowed me to really become a force in my industry. He said: I worked for the American dream, to give you all what you needed or I thought wanted. I spend so much time working and now I’m in my death bed realizing that none of it goes to our grave with us. I could of spend more time making memories with my family, but I focused on giving you all this. Promise me that you will live your life. You will make memories and live an adventure.” So there started the life of trying to do just that. It was so hard, but I struggled through school and graduated in 2001. I did everything you can imagine in the culinary world so that I can feel a sense of accomplishment but to also live a career that didn’t seem like a job but a hobby, an adventure but still brought in money.

I went on to work in restaurants as a line cook, teaching at cooking schools, writing recipes, became a personality on Food Network Star season 7 along with many other shows like the Sporting Chef, Man Vs Child, Sabores de Familia, Harvest Aspen and more. I created my own catering company and was able to be my own boss. I travel to get better at what I do. I firmly believe in this industry you don’t stop learning, you can’t. There is so many cuisines, ingredients and styles that you can’t learn in one lifetime.

I have organized fundraisers for cancer, churches, schools and awareness of so many kinds because we have to use our recognition to recognize those things around us. I have become a mentor to kids through GlenX, I speak at schools. I’m a voice for Latinas that want to create themselves into a powerful independent person. But I am also reminded by my mother to continue to be humbled because there are not many with the opportunity I had, the will they did and that should never get to me. I’m only 40 years old, I can’t imagine what else I will get into. Not only am I chef, I’m a traveler, a cross fitter, a florists, a creator ….. I went from picking cherries to doing amazing things with those very crops I picked as a child.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
To say that anyone has a smooth road is a lie. Not only did I struggle with the loss of my father at a young age, but I struggled with a very strict mother too. She did not understand what being independent was, being a strong women did not mean that I needed to be able to go around a cherry orchard with a 10-14 food ladder, buckets and pick for 12 hours a day. I grew up with three older sisters, they all had their own journey but I had my own that consisted of getting my butt kicked in the kitchen by men. After all it’s a male-dominated world. I had to proof myself as a women in the kitchen that could do what they did. I had to not only be artistic but I had to be strong and pick up pots, work long hours, get yelled at when we had 50 tickets on the board.

I learned that I needed to get things done my way. I started CrossFit to get stronger, I am stronger than most men in the kitchen. I travel to get more education and ideas to put them in my own way. I can go into any kitchen with my own style and impress clients all the time. Even though I feel like I have made it, I’m accomplished and no one can get in my way, there will always continue to be obstacles. The road never ends, but it’s how you approach it. You definitely have to remember that you are good at what you do, stand your ground and have respect for your industry.

We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I’m a chef. I went to culinary school and learned every type of cuisine you can imagine. But at the end of the day, I have Mexican, it’s in my blood. I love the flavors and ingredients so I created my own style. Every type of cuisine in the world is amazing, but then you add a Latin flare and it becomes incredible. I have my Spice It Up brand that I live by. I cater to clients as a private chef in Aspen, I travel with the Outdoor Channel and do cooking shows with the Sportsman’s Channel. I create cooking classes for my clients that have needs to eat a certain way. I know each person is like their fingerprint, different from one another so why would I treat every person the same. I cater to people’s needs. BUT I don’t change the personality, the attitude and the person and style that I am. That’s why I get hired because I spice it up every way I can.

Which women have inspired you in your life?
I’ve been inspired by many. My friend Shannon Cotta, inspired me to become a chef. She taught me how to cook, how to be a strong women and love every aspect of myself. She taught me to stand up for what I believe in, to not judge what I don’t know and to continue life without thinking about everyone’s idea of who I should be. Her mother, Diana Cotta (Doughty), she taught me not to settle. There is always room for more, more of who you are, that you can be on top and continue to be the amazing person you want to be without stomping on others. My mom taught me incredible work ethic and how to be humble. It can all be taken away and not to take it for granted. I have had disappoints by many women but I learned from their judgments, their attitude and ways, that I should not be like them.

Contact Info:

• Email: susiespiceitup@gmail.com
• Instagram: @SpiceitupSusie
• Facebook: @SusieJimenezProductions
• Twitter: @SpiceitupSusie

Image Credit:
Erin Danneker

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