Passion Series: Pyet DeSpain, Chef/Business Owner
“ it creates unity by bringing people and cultures together as well as supports regeneration of humanity.
Images by Mark Mendoza - Pyet, thank you so much for taking the time to shoot and talk with me. Would you mind telling everyone who Pyet is?
Pyet DeSpain - Pyet is a loving, ambitious and highly driven individual who seeks to find wholeness and happiness in life. I find myself getting closer to wholeness when I am cooking and sharing food with others. My career as a private chef allows me to align myself with true happiness and purpose.
IbMM - What made you fall in love with food and make you want to become a chef?
PD - I always say I didn't seek to become a chef, but it chose me! I believe the ability to put all your passion into something that another person can fully experience with not just one but three of their major senses really drew me in. Food alone is sacred and one of the most pleasurable things in life, you smell it before you see it then you are able to taste it. Being able to create memorable experiences is what really got me hooked.
IbMM - What do you think food does for people?
“I had this big idea of what I wanted to do but quickly realized there were areas that I needed to strengthen before I could take on certain jobs”
PD - Food does many things, it nourishes, heals and creates satisfaction no other element in life can. It is one of the most important aspects to life, you physically can not live without it. Most importantly it creates unity by bringing people and cultures together as well as supports regeneration of humanity.
IbMM - Not too long ago you left the "corporate world" to be your own boss. What made you finally decide to take that leap?
“Take time to be in the present and listen to your intuition”
PD - The calling and intuition never stops telling you what direction and path is for you. I think many people fight it like I did for a few years, until the universe made me feel so uncomfortable in a place in life and in a career that truly was not meant for me. I stopped fighting it and gave in, which led me to LA working as a private chef. Of course I was terrified of leaving the safety net behind, but there is a mentality and drive you adapt when you work independently that allows you to consistently be creative and make things happen one way or another.
IbMM - What were some surprises along the way, good or bad?
PD - I've had both good and bad. In the beginning I had this big idea of what I wanted to do but quickly realized there were areas that I needed to strengthen before I could take on certain jobs. For example taking on jobs that required more experience and resources than I was equipped with at the time. I learned when to pause and do my research before accepting a job because, it's best to be fully knowledgeable and equipped to handle something then throwing yourself in the trenches. People often advise you to "say yes, then learn how to do it later", that did not work for me.
IbMM - Would you have changed anything differently about the process you took?
PD - We all have moments where we wish we had done things differently but ultimately all the necessary things happened in order for me to be where I am mentally as an entrepreneur and just as a person navigating through life. It takes years of mental conditioning to be successful and feel comfortable in entrepreneurship. All the bumps in the road contribute to that so, no I wouldn't have changed anything.
IbMM - If you could tell 18 year old Pyet anything, what would it be?
“I see my business growing into other states and fulfilling my goals to teach in the Native Communities”
PD - I would tell 18 year old me to save her money haha! and to know there is a place for you in the world, that with time you will find a path and people that feel like home. Take time to be in the present and listen to your intuition, don't stress about the future because the present experiences are leading you to that path. Everything works out the way it's meant to for you find your true authentic self in the place you were meant to be.
IbMM - Do you have any major goals or plans in the works?
PD - I have plans to address the health crises currently taking place in Native American communities. I have a true passion for teaching people how to empower themselves in the kitchen, I want to bring that same focus to indigenous communities and teach them how to utilize the food they have available to them and turn it into nourishing meals. I also have ideas to open a 3 in 1 brick and mortar , with a small cafe, organic & holistic grocery store and cooking school rolled into one.
IbMM - Where do you see your business in 2,5, or 10 years?
PD - I see myself incorporating my Native American & Mexican American roots more into my career from ingredients to dishes, I really want to focus on elevating indigenous ingredients and adding my flair to food I grew up eating. I see my business growing into other states and fulfilling my goals to teach in the Native Communities as well as open a brick and mortar. All the next steps taken in my business are towards those goals unless intuition or opportunities steer me in a different direction.
IbMM - Any quotes that you live by?
PD - "I get to play in the energy of abundance everyday as I expand into greater levels of wealth, bliss and joy"- Jenna Black
"People do not decide their futures, they decide their habits and their habits decide their future"- F.M. Alexander
IbMM - What's one piece of advice you would give to anyone looking to do what you do?
PD - Advice I would give is to focus on building a client base and an email list of potential clients, be consistent at reaching out and promoting your services. It will take someone seeing your email's 10 times before they say yes to hiring you for an event or ordering from you. Research ways to market your business that will cost you nothing. Lastly, really focus attention on a style of cooking or a niche and get really good at a few signature dishes, people love to ask "what's your specialty" and as a chef it's good to know what that is instead of saying "I don't have one i do everything".
Pyet, it’s been such a pleasure. Thank you for your time and I can’t wait to see what else you accomplish.
To Follow Pyet’s journey:
Instagram:
@ChefPyet
@PyetsPlate
Website: