The Standby: Food As A Family Affair | Rebecca LaMalfa | Talks at Google

TL;DR

Rebecca Lamalfa, chef at Standby and former contestant on Top Chef, discusses her experience on the show, her love for Detroit, and her plans for expanding her culinary career in the city.

Transcript

[MUSIC PLAYING] LAURA MURPHY: Rebecca comes to us live from Standby. Quick show of hands-- who in this room has actually been to the Standby yet? It's so-- AUDIENCE: Whoo! LAURA MURPHY: Oh. Oh my gosh. Overwhelming. REBECCA LAMALFA: Thank you. LAURA MURPHY: Me too. Me too. REBECCA LAMALFA: Yay. LAURA MURPHY: Love it. It's so good. It's unbelievable... Read More

Key Insights

• 🏙️ Lamalfa is enthusiastic about the revitalization of Detroit and is excited to be a part of the city's culinary scene.
• 💨 She finds ways to balance her busy restaurant schedule with her personal life, enjoying time with her husband and their four fur babies.
• 😋 Lamalfa has a passion for cooking simple, delicious food and believes in complementing the flavors of Standby's strong cocktails.
• ⌛ She values the connections made during her time on Top Chef, but acknowledges the challenges of the competition.

Questions & Answers

Q: What led Rebecca Lamalfa to move to Detroit and become the head chef at Standby?

Lamalfa was attracted to the revitalization that was happening in Detroit and wanted to be a part of the city's culinary scene. She was particularly drawn to Standby and saw an opportunity to create delicious food that could complement their strong cocktail program.

Q: What was Lamalfa's experience like as a contestant on Top Chef?

Lamalfa admitted that competing on Top Chef was not her favorite thing to do. The show took away important aspects of being a chef, such as time and the ability to pick her own ingredients. However, she valued the opportunity and the connections she made with other chefs during the experience.

Q: How does Lamalfa handle the challenges of being a female chef in a male-dominated industry?

Lamalfa shared that she doesn't tolerate any mistreatment or sexism in the kitchen. She believes in working hard and letting her skills speak for themselves. While she has encountered challenges and negative experiences, she is determined to stand up for herself and create an inclusive and respectful working environment.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Rebecca Lamalfa, a California native and former Top Chef contestant, is the head chef at Standby in Detroit, where she focuses on creating delicious food to complement the bar's strong cocktail program.

• Lamalfa is passionate about the revitalization of Detroit and has been coming to the city for the past four years, experiencing its growth firsthand.

• She and her husband, who is also a chef in Detroit, find ways to balance their busy restaurant schedules and enjoy their shared love for cooking and food at home.