Today we’d like to introduce you to Chaya Kiesel
Hi Chaya, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My career has been varied and challenging. When I got married, I became a Rabanit (Rabbi’s wife), although I preferred to undertake. I started selling clothes in Argentina, then hand-painted kipots. After studying makeup and hairdressing, I discovered a passion for cooking, I taught myself how to cook and started teaching and sharing recipes. After moving to Miami, I started selling empanadas and styling wigs, meanwhile my husband worked in an eye care company Before returning back to Argentina to work in a family restaurant. Then, I created a pastry factory, but COVID and a family tragedy took us back to Miami, where we started new projects: a kosher butcher shop ‘’Carnicery” and a bakery. Although we face ups and downs, I decided to close the bakery and focus on the butcher shop and on my Instagram account, where I shared recipes for fun. This led me to write a cookbook adapted to Kashrut, a project that was initially a family legacy. Despite the challenges and anxiety, I managed to complete the book, which Thank God is already in print and will be available soon.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
At times, I wish the journey had been smoother; it would have certainly made things easier. However, without the challenges we’ve faced, we wouldn’t be where we are today. Financial difficulties were significant, but if that brownie hadn’t been so costly, I might never have sought to learn how to make it myself. If Covid had never came, we would never had started the butcher shop. Things happens for a reason and Struggles often drive us to be more creative and propel us forward in life. Ultimately, these challenges turned out to be a blessing in disguise.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Since closing the bakery, I have been dedicating my time to working on my cookbook and helping my husband at the butcher shop. I also feature the meat on my platform, promoting it by creating delicious recipes. Baking remains a passion of mine, so I sell desserts from home as a hobby and have recently decided to start offering cooking classes again. In the future, I dream of opening a bakery or a coffee shop, which would be a dream come true. For now, I’m cherishing motherhood while working from home and raising my kids.
What does success mean to you?
I used to struggle with giving myself credit, often believing that nothing I did was sufficient. I was my own enemy. However, I’ve come to realize the importance of celebrating every accomplishment, no matter how small, even if it comes from simply trying. Embracing positivity, even in the face of failure, makes a significant difference. When you incorporate uplifting words into your daily routine, your entire outlook on life becomes more positive. just waking up every morning and try, To me, that is true success.
Contact Info:
- Website: Carnicery.com and anotherchayainthekitchen.com
- Instagram: @anotherchayainthekitchen @koshercarnicery
Image Credits
Gustavo Lopez
