Scenes From the Table, Bourbon Steak and the Executive Chef Who Lands Every Service

Scenes From the Table, Bourbon Steak and the Executive Chef Who Lands Every Service Episode Summary This week is something different. Florida Living Life does a podcast swap with Stay On Course Ingredients for Success as Julie sits down with Pablo Valencia, Executive Chef at the brand new Bourbon Steak on Atlantic Avenue in Delray Beach. Part tasting, part life lesson, part skydiving story. This is one of the most inspiring conversations in the life of this podcast. Pablo Valencia is sharp, warm, and full of wisdom. If you love food and love hearing what it really takes to run a world class kitchen, this episode is for you. 🍽 Featured Restaurant Bourbon Steak – Atlantic Avenue, Delray Beach Part of the Michael Mina restaurant group and open just three months at the time of this recording. Already earning its place as one of the most exciting new restaurants in South Florida. Must order items straight from the chef himself: Japanese Wagyu — exceptional marbling, extraordinary flavor, melts in your mouth Lobster Pot Pie — the signature dish, served tableside. Created by Chef Michael Mina after opening a friend's fridge and finding lobster instead of chicken. Finished with a lobster brandied cream. The aromas alone are worth the visit. Find them at BourbonSteakDelray.com or on Instagram. 👨‍🍳 Meet Chef Pablo Valencia Born in Colombia, raised on arepas, and trained in some of the most demanding kitchens in the world. His favorite food is the arepa he grew up eating for breakfast every morning. His second favorite is a great burger shared with his son. As Executive Chef, Pablo manages everything from food cost to team culture to emergency service when the gas line goes down in the middle of a dinner rush. He handled it. He always does. 🧠 Ingredients for Success Three takeaways from Pablo that apply far beyond the kitchen: Emotional intelligence — You are managing customers, staff, and ownership all at once. Every day. You cannot lead with fear. You lead with understanding.