I started cooking after my parents got divorced when I was like 14. My mom became depressed and stopped cooking for my sister and me, so I kind of picked it up when she stopped and ended up really enjoying it.

I fell in love with the idea of nourishing other people.

A day I will never forget was when our hot water pipe burst into a wall and flooded the kitchen with hot water. We probably should have closed immediately, but we had some really important guests, so we kept going, boot deep in the water to finish service. There is a lesson about perseverance in there somewhere, but in hindsight, it does seem a little silly.

Remember, you are only as strong as you can make your team.

Interview and shot by Shabnam Ferdowsi official HOTK reporter in Paris.