Laura Kathleen Monje - Sous Chef
Born and raised in Downey, CA. (Los Angeles)
Graduated with a Bachelor in History
For six years worked 9-5 admin job…not sure what I wanted to do with my life.
2004– I visited an aunt in Australia for one month and it was an eye-opening, life changing experience. The visit made me realize there is so much out there and life’s too short. So when I returned to the states, I quit my job, walked into Sambi’s of Tokyo Restaurant and got a dish washing job. For 2 years, I worked my way through prep to grill to being first woman as Teppan Taki Chef. Cooking in front of customers was scary but also exciting and that is when I realized the Culinary/Hospitality field was for me.
I attended Los Angeles Trade Tech to get my culinary degree. During the year it took me to finish school, I worked at the Commerce Casino. A very secure place where I could easily work my way up the ladder, but intuition took me out of California.
In 2008 I moved to Dallas to work at the Adolphus Hotel. Did a year there, gaining more valuable experience and confidence. Decided it was time for me to move on and that led me to Restaurant AVA. First place I was really challenged ; having to make everything from scratch…within a year made sous chef and loving every minute of it.