Today we’d like to introduce you to Gianina Roman.
Hi Gianina, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
The reality is that I never saw myself doing what I do. I always envisioned myself being a reporter covering important events around the globe. However, God had other plans for me. After one attempt to get into the school of communication in Lima and not being able to make it, I took a year of sabbatical. Furthermore, if I wasn’t working or studying, I had to help with the household chores. I must say, I was really bad at cooking. I was preparing the same in different forms but regardless the same.
My siblings used to tease me, telling me that today was “meat with potatoes” and tomorrow “potatoes with meat”. I decided to finish with this and started taking some random cooking classes. And wow, from that point on everything changed, besides the fact that I was cooking much better. The hidden passion I had for cooking and serving woke up inside me. I wanted to make every meal special.
That’s why I decided to have a second try to get into university, but this time to the School of Tourism and Hospitality at San Martin de Porres University. I got in with one of the highest scores and that was the most amazing feeling ever. I not only learned about economics, psychology, astrology, gastronomy, science, statistics, and much more, but also about ethics, professionalism, teamwork, loyalty, discretion, discipline, and especially to love what I do.
Soon I was part of a special events group and with that, I got the opportunity to go to Mexico for my professional practices at Barra Navidad to work for Grand Bay by Wyndham. I learned so much in those four months in Mexico. I was offered a permanent job on the island, but God had a different path for me. Arriving in Peru in November for the holiday season, I was soon to go to the job that would change it all. I embarked on the opening of the first Radiance class of Royal Caribbean in Hamburg, Germany.
After that, my life was a big change. I won’t lie, the work was hard, the hours were brutal, and I was missing home. But what I endured onboard and what I learned, I wouldn’t change it for anything. I met my son Ethan’s father on board, and we got married in Peru. We started our consulting company and worked the Central American and Caribbean games, in El Salvador as well as hotels and restaurants in Lima.
We moved to Miami for a while and kept consulting for boutique hotels and restaurants. We also lived in Grand Cayman and Sint Maarten. I moved back to Miami with my son and started a life on my own, working for different restaurants. I worked hard until I reached the position of CEO for a hospitality company here in South Florida. Mothers know best, and my mom knew when it was time for me to fly on my own. Following her advice, after ten years with the same company, I gave my resignation letter and started on my own.
Now, I’m President and Founder of Culinary Vision Intl., a management and consulting company that specializes in restaurants inside luxury condominiums, as well as a partner at La Veridica BBQ, a little restaurant that makes very traditional BBQ with a Peruvian twist and last but not least co-owner of La Veridica Peruvian Artisanal beer. It has been a long and difficult journey, and I couldn’t be more happy with the decision to start things on my own. It’s better to do it and screw it up, than to not and never have learned from your mistakes.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Life is not smooth, and in order to learn to walk you need to fall many times. This also applies to life and business. The secret to success is to never stop picking yourself up and continuing to try again. One day you may find yourself not only walking but eventually running. I won’t victimize myself because I’m a woman or Latina. I wouldn’t be the person I am right now if it weren’t for all the suffering, tears, stress, sadness, and concerns.
People don’t believe in you, or in your capabilities, sacrificing precious time with family and loved ones, feeling used, not appreciated, and being lied to and or manipulated are some examples of struggles I and many people in this industry suffer. However, all this has made us more analytical, focused, direct, responsive, reliable, and loyal, looking at everything and everyone with true colors. Struggles in life are a good thing because without them we would not be able to grow and God knows how much I have grown from every struggle I had in my path.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Culinary Vision International is a company that specializes not only in consulting for restaurants, resorts, cruise ships, or hotels. We also manage restaurants inside luxury condominiums. Nowadays, amenities are a very big point for a buyer at the time to make a decision in purchasing a condominium. A residents-only restaurant is a huge value not only for the property itself but also for each resident.
We at Culinary Vision understand the needs of the residents and work around them. With the help of my partner, Chef Mario Barone, we provide a personalized service, tailoring a unique menu that covers everything from healthy ingredients to dietary needs. We become “an extension of their kitchen”. We understand that as operators, the restaurant doesn’t belong to us, but to each resident. For this reason, we work together with the Board of Directors as well as the management company of the condominium to ensure consistency, satisfaction, and attention to detail for all residents.
We create a lifestyle, from happy hour events to theme nights, as well as wine and beer tastings, cooking and mixology classes and why not also fitness and nutrition. We work with any kind of cuisine, from Asian to Spanish, also Latin to Kosher-friendly. Culinary Vision International, is your down-to-earth helper for all of your F&B needs.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
I’m thankful to God because once I decided to put things in his hands, not only my life with all the good and bad but also my family and businesses, I lifted off that heavy weight that was impossible for me to carry any longer. Once someone asked me what being happy really was. I don’t think I answered correctly at that time.
Now I’m 100% sure that happiness is a choice. We choose to be happy or to be miserable. No matter our social or economic status, where we live, what we do for a living, problems or no problems. We will always find a reason to be miserable and prolong our happiness. The last thing I would like to tell everyone is: Choose to be happy, the rest doesn’t matter.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.culinaryvisionintl.com
- Instagram: @culinaryvisionintl
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=709035080&mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/in/gianina-roman-b4aa5476
