Join me on The Randall Osché Podcast as I sit down with Fer Serrano, a Mexico City-born chef whose career has taken her from culinary school to some of the world’s most respected kitchens, and from Italy to New York City and now Lisbon, Portugal.

Fer’s path into cooking started in an unexpected place: watching Ratatouille. What began as curiosity led her away from the family tradition of law and into professional kitchens, including an early experience at Osteria Francescana that gave her the confidence to believe she belonged in the industry.

But as her career grew, so did the role work played in her life. Fer opens up about realizing that cooking had become almost her entire identity, and how taking a year away helped her rethink the long hours and overworking she once saw as necessary for success.

That experience shaped not only the chef she wanted to be, but the leader she wanted to become. We talk about creating kitchen cultures where people feel supported, why great leaders step in when their team is struggling, and why taking care of yourself can ultimately make you better at what you do.

We also explore Fer’s willingness to follow her gut, take chances, and trust that she’ll figure things out along the way, a mindset that has taken her from Mexico to Italy, New York, and now Lisbon.

What you’ll Learn:

• Why believing in yourself can matter more than feeling completely ready.
• How taking a break can actually strengthen your relationship with your work.
• Why great leadership is about supporting the people around you.
• How following your gut can open opportunities you never planned for.

What happens when work stops being one part of your life and becomes your entire identity? Fer shares why stepping away helped her become a better chef, leader, and person.

Listen to This Episode on Your Favorite Platform:

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About The Randall Osché Podcast:
Every episode is a conversation with remarkable people who share their unique stories, challenges, triumphs, and lessons learned. Through honest and insightful dialogue, we explore what shapes us, what moves us, and what we learn from the experiences along the way.

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