Queer Kitchens in New York (Interviews)

Interview with a Student Chef: Noel Valentin

What has your experience been as a queer in the industry? "Fortunately for me being queer in the hospitality industry has not negatively affected my work experience at any of my past jobs. If anything it has provided me with the opportunity to teach and break down preconceived notions about the LGBT community. I have utilized my personal life experiences as a mean of motivation to show the world that gays are as capable as everyone else."

How far into your life did you go into cooking?
"As a child I would always sit on the bucket of rice in the kitchen and watched as my mom or grandmother would prepare dinner. Some time around the third grade when I stayed home from school I decided to imitate what they cooked. I cooked rice and stewed chicken. By the time my mother got home dinner was served. After that I would join my mother and grandmother in the kitchen. When I was 18 I landed my first job in a restaurant." 

What role did cooking play in your childhood?
"I've always wanted to be a housewife, and the ability to cook was one step closer to reaching my goal. Instead of playing in the streets, I would dance around my house cooking and cleaning pretending I was a housewife. As I begin my journey into the industry I am glad I opted out of the typical childhood for a kitchen lifestyle." 

Was it a gendered issue learning how to cook growing up?

"When I was comfortable enough to come out as a gay man, it was more socially acceptable to be openly gay. Being gay has not -knock on wood- limited or prevented me from reaching my goals and aspirations."

<Therapy>

We then conducted 2 interviews at Therapy bar at Hells Kitchen. The interviewees were Paul and Alfino.It was a rather fun experience with the interview. For the most part everyone was really friendly and were really willing to be a part of the interview.