Life & Work with Shaun Boles of Santa Monica

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shaun Boles.

Hi Shaun, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am from Sacramento area, moved to LA over a decade ago. I have a big family with 3 brothers and 2 sisters and they are my favorite people. I was a good student but decided to go to culinary school after high school despite my mother’s wishes to be a doctor or something. I loved cooking and it always felt so cool to make that my career. I worked at UCDavis for many years before moving to Los Angeles in 2013 to become a chef at CalLutheran University in Thousand Oaks. I went on to be chef for the Los Angeles Rams, was a private chef and head chef at a high end rehab. I am currently an executive chef at Riot Games headquarters.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Everybody has their own struggles in life but my mom raised us by herself and I had everything I need and an amazing support system with my family.

I have been professionally very blessed. I have had the opportunity to work with some really incredible leaders and chefs. There have been bumps in the road when it comes to personalities in a kitchen, bad leadership and poor management where their goals and mine did not match. Finding fulfilling work in this field is difficult to find as many of my jobs were a grind, but when you find a position that really inspires you, it reminds you why this career is so special.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a chef, I am currently an Executive Chef for Riot Games at their headquarters. I run a restaurant they have at their headquarters through another company called Guckenheimer. I don’t specialize in any specific cuisine as I’ve been trained in so many different types of food having worked in so many different places. I would say I specialize in large dining programs, having worked for universities and large companies making food for thousands sometimes it takes a lot of planning and organizing multiple different teams of people. I have also worked as a private chef and love being able to cook for people one on one or small catered events. Making good food for people and enjoying it with people they love and care for is such a great feeling. fostering happiness through food has really been my mission ever since I started cooking

How do you define success?
Happiness. I have had some really amazing opportunities in my career but the ones I’m most proud of and felt the most like success were when cooking made me happy. This job is very demanding and has long hours, tight deadlines and not a lot of thank yous, but if your happy with the food you’re making and the people your serving, that’s success for me.

Pricing:

• Private chef: 250$/day

Contact Info:

• Instagram: S.B.Boles
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaun-boles-2b8545247?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app