Today we’d like to introduce you to Ingrid Herrera.
Ingrid, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My passion for the restaurant industry started at a very young age. I love taking care of the guest when my parents hosted parties, and I love hosting dinner parties with friends and family.
My mother works in a restaurant in Peru as a Maitre D, so it was natural for me to work in the hospitality industry.
I have been doing this for the past 15 years, with the dream of opening my own place. I have done catering, fine dinning, three Michelin, Management, and culinary.
And finally, Claudia Gomez and I partner, bringing T’antay live. And my sister, Grace Herrera and I building an event company.
Has it been a smooth road?
I believe my biggest struggle was all the changes happening to move from Peru to Miami and finding stability with my family.
I love what I do, at all times of works come with struggles. My advice will be to work your hardest and always aim high. No matter gender, I stay strong with my beliefs, and if I make mistakes I do my best to learn from them and move forward.
We’d love to hear more about T’antay Miami.
I currently have two jobs, my specialty is definitely running the floor of restaurants. I’m passionate about the restaurant industry, about well-made food, about the perfect service and the flow and energy. The floor of a restaurant has always felt like a stage to me and is really exciting when you get to work with really talented passionate people. I have work for Zuma, La Petite Maison Dubai and Miami, Daniel Restaurant and currently for Mr. Hospitality as a reservations manager.
I have always wanted my own business, and having my son really got me into baking. I’m a great cook, but baking is a whole different field. I really enjoy baking with Mateo, so that’s how T’antay happened. Plus people go crazy for my alfajores, so that is definitely my staple.
What sets us apart is that everything is hand crafted, that we are extremely passionate about we do.
Do you feel like there was something about the experiences you had growing up that played an outsized role in setting you up for success later in life?
I grew up in Peru when you say Peru I believe that the first thing you can think of is Food.
I grew up fortunate, food is a big part of my culture. Every memory is surrounded by food.
My mom used to leave us sometimes on the pastry section of Las Brujas de Cachiche where she used to work. And we got to experience everything getting made artisanally.
I have loved food since I can remember, to help in the kitchen and follow the right instructions. Everything has a process, and cooking will teach you so.
Food and cooking can Mean so much. love lessons, family memories, childhood memories, and great for relationships.
Contact Info:
- Address: Little Havana Miami, FL
- Phone: 1-917-753-9276
- Email: [email protected]
Image Credit:
Claudia Gomez
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