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Home » Podcast Episodes

074 A Conversation with Michelin Starred Pastry Chef Monique Chan

Last Modified: Mar 11, 2024 · This post may contain affiliate links

Ever wonder what it’s like to work inside the finest restaurants in the world? I have!

Today, Michelin-starred pastry chef Monique Chan is giving us a firsthand look inside two famous restaurants completely across the globe from one another.

At the The French Laundry in California, which was called “The best restaurant in the world, period” by Anthony Bourdain. Monique was tasked with the all-important chocolate station and granted creative freedom to completely redesign their bon-bon menu.

From there, Monique moved to Hong Kong, a homecoming of sorts for this daughter of two immigrants to the US from Hong Kong. Monique was part of the “start-up team” launching Ecriture with the immediate goal of achieving 2 Michelin stars - a goal which they achieved.

As fascinating as this insider look into the restaurant may be, I promise you’ll be most captivated by Monique’s humility and vulnerability. We explore the spiritual journey that accompanied the journey of her career, as well as her most recent efforts to raise money for racial justice through her personal brand, Chez Momo.

And finally - look out for a bonus episode this Friday where we explore to uneasy relationship between creativity and productivity. (Oh, and p.s. Monique shared her croissant recipe with us and wraps up the conversation with some helpful feedback about what I did wrong!)

Thank you, every single listener for being here, and welcome Monique!

Highlights

  • The spiritual journey that accompanied her career journey
  • LA -> Paris -> LA -> Hong Kong -> LA – Australia -> Current
  • “I see you running, running hard. Maybe you need to rest.”
  • The democratic nature of the kitchen
  • The physical and psychological toll of working as a chef
  • What gave Monique the ability to function well under stress
  • Reconciling a Secular/Liberal/Caucasian Environment and Christian/Conservative/Asian Environment
  • Moving to Hong Kong, a home culture that wasn’t “home”
  • The Michelin Review Process – How do you earn stars?
  • Earning 2 Stars in a record-breaking 7 months
  • Love expressed as “an unrelenting provision of food”
  • Why Monique, as an Asian-American woman, chose to start a non-profit baking business to support Black Lives Matter
Monique Chan in the red beret for The Storied Recipe

Listen to Monique Now

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Monique's Storied Recipe: How to Make Croissants at Home

How To Make Puff Pastry Croissants At Home

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075 Creativity vs. Productivity with Monique Chan (BONUS Episode)
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How To Contact Monique Chan, Owner of Chez Momo

YouTube: The Real Chez Momo

Website: www.therealchezmomo.com

Instagram: @therealchezmomo

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I’m Becky Hadeed, a mother to 4, curious home cook, lover of extraordinary light, and host of The Storied Recipe Podcast. I consider it a great honor that my guests entrust me with their stories and allow me photograph and share their most treasured family recipes.

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dark and moody photo of Becky Hadeed kneading arepas dough

Welcome, Friend!

I’m Becky Hadeed, a mother to 4, curious home cook, lover of extraordinary light, and host of The Storied Recipe Podcast. I consider it a great honor that my guests entrust me with their stories and allow me photograph and share their most treasured family recipes.

More About Me ->

Most Popular Recipes

  • two slices of chewy golden nian gao on pink plate
    Baked Nian Gao: Glutinous Rice Cake (with Sticky Rice Flour)
  • hand holds flaky spiraled roti paratha (aka roti canai in malaysia) above lush green foliage.
    How to Make Flaky Roti Paratha (Malaysian Roti Canai)
  • pollo frito puerto rican fried chicken with no flour in basket lined with red checked napkin
    Pollo Frito: Puerto Rican Fried Chicken (Without Flour)
  • delicate white dish holds fish cooked in tomato sauce, topped with gently caramelized onons, dill and parsley
    Ukrainian Red Fish in Tomato Sauce

Follow in Your Favorite Player

Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle Podcasts

Listen to the Latest

Featured Episodes

  • 058 "I Wanted Something Different" with Juan Salazar of La Coop Coffee
  • 022 "I am Piotr's Granddaughter" with Lydia Cottrell
  • 019 "We Were Not Leprosy" with Suwanee Lennon
  • 077 Arabic Feasts with My Husband, John Hadeed
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