Today’s Notable Young Entrepreneur is world renowned chocolate and pastry chef Elena Krasnova, who is also the owner of Mon Paris Patisserie is Burnaby, B.C. We caught up with her to find out what inspires her work and what advice she would share with other young professionals…
WORK
1. Describe what you do in less than 140 characters. Go.
I make specialty French pastries with a modern twist using the best local and international ingredients. I try to match quality with incredible visual appeal.
2. What was the inspiration for your career route?
I’m truly inspired by French culture and cuisine (specifically pastry). There are many great chefs that I admire and learn from – their success stories only serve to push me further along my own path.
3. What is the most memorable milestone in your career so far?
Having once been told that pastry making wasn’t for me, I chose to listen to my true calling and ignore the negativity. That mindset has enabled me to stay focused and pursue my career with a strong passion.
4. Where do you see yourself in 5 years, 10 years, 20 years?
Teaching pastry art to other chefs to move the pastry art forward. I would also like to publish my own recipe book.
5. Do you have any advice for other young professionals?
To be a chef in a kitchen is very challenging both physically and morally. If you are truly passionate about it – it will help you to succeed. Stay true to yourself, learn from others but develop your own style.
6. Do you support any charities? If so, which one(s) and why is it (or they) important to you?
I’m looking at supporting charities that support culinary education (helping less fortunate get jobs in the industry) close to my store in Burnaby.
7. What is one major challenge that you’ve had to overcome in your career? How did you overcome it?
I suppose you could say my biggest challenge to date has been the decision to abandon my former career in accounting to pursue my passion for pastry. It was a huge leap for me – but once I refocused my energy, my vision became clear.
8. What does the word notable mean to you?
Being remarkable at what you do and (hopefully) recognized for your dedication and passion.
PLAY
1. Where is your favourite place to wine/dine in your city and why?
One of my favorite restaurants in Vancouver is a Japanese classic: TOJO’s. You always receive a very personal dining experience. I always let the chef/owner create a special custom menu and relax and enjoy!
2. What’s the most visited website on your Internet browser? The most played song on your phone?
On my browser-radar, there are too many to narrow down (most are food industry related). I’d say my favorite chocolate company Cocoa Barry is frequently visited, and these days the City of Burnaby (for building permits!)
3. Who’s one person you think everyone should be following on social media?
I don’t follow many people, but if I see someone who is doing something truly different in the pastry profession, I’ll follow them. I think international chefs like France’s Cecil Frank Moritel and Miami’s Antonio Bachour.
4. What’s your favourite country to visit and why? And what’s the next one you plan on travelling to?
France will always have a special place in my heart. Even after living there for a few years, there are still plenty of unexplored provinces there that I would love to visit. The variety of wine and food in each part of the country are so unique (and delicious!) I’d love to simply travel throughout Europe next.
5. What give you the greatest FOMO?
Getting my Instagram photos ‘just right’… I’m just as much of a perfectionist in the kitchen as I am on social media!
6. What is your guiltiest pleasure?
Food and wine! I consider myself a foodie, I love to travel and try exotic foods and will never getting tired of exploring global cuisine.
7. What’s something you wish you didn’t spend so much money on? What’s something you wish you spent more on?
Food and wine! Seriously, though… given that I am about to open my own pastry shop, all my money goes towards purchasing material and equipment. I do not regret buying it but I only wish it cost less!
8. And finally, what does success look like to you? Work, play, or otherwise…
To me, success is when I feel happy and at peace with who and where I am at in life. When work brings you the greatest pleasure and you are rewarded for it!
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