Succeeding in Today’s Changing Food Industry – Morena Leite Seminar

“What is your goal in life? What’s your dream?” asks chef Morena to her audience. Her gaze sweeps the room seated with students, alumni, and culinary enthusiasts, inviting a moment of awakening introspection. As the concept of working in the food industry changes in cadence with the world of food, this is an increasingly significant question for those pursuing a career in it.

On Tuesday, August 29th, 2017, Paris graduate Morena Leite arrived in Tokyo to share her story. From aspiring anthropologist to chef, and now a global restauranteur, author, and explorer extraordinaire of the world’s great cuisines, Morena retold her professional journey, offering her narrative as one of many examples to success.

Showcasing imagery from her beautiful hometown in Brazil and treating audience members to a delicious trio of inspired Brazilian ceviches and tapioca blinis, she incited participants to reflect on the clarity of their professional goals. Morena warned her audience that time, rather, time spent meaningfully, is the key. For her, this was embracing her love for food and letting it permeate in all aspects of her professional life. And she hasn’t looked back since.

Morena is on a trip around the world, stopping at over 30 countries to speak to aspiring and established professionals in the food industry or those just ready to make the jump. Sponsored by the Brazilian Embassy, the seminar at the Tokyo school was not only to share Morena’s story of success, but also an opportunity to share the colourful mosaic that is Brazilian culinary culture.

Morena is an example of how modern-day chefs are more than meets the eye, adapting and expanding their identity in response to the ever-changing landscape of gastronomy. Indeed, as the meaning of food and what it takes to work with it evolves, Morena’s opening question may be more relevant that one realises, just like her approach to work and food.

Thanks for visiting us, Morena!

Tokyo

Kobe