Meet Leslie Durso | Plant Based Chef

We had the good fortune of connecting with Leslie Durso and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Leslie, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I love taking risks! I think that is part of what makes life so fun and interesting! Trying new things! Following your heart! I have always taken “the road less traveled” in my career and life. I started my working life as a model which transitioned to an acting which transitioned into hosting and educational television, which transitioned into becoming a chef. Most people thought I was nuts to become a plant based chef. At the time there was only 1 successful vegan restaurant in Los Angeles (where I live). I paid no attention and knew that my heart was in the right place and this was the way of the future. That blind faith in all my decisions has led me to where I am today. I did not take a direct career path, but each one has led me to discovering something I love! I’m grateful now that I get to use all of those experiences in my current stage and my next one! Yes, I’m about to take another huge risk again!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
As a plant based chef, I am constantly working to create new dishes that not only taste good, but are pleasing to the eye and highly nutritious. Everyone always thinks only cooking with plants is limiting, but in fact, it is the opposite. There are over 25,000 edible plants on earth. The combinations are endless!
One of my favorite ways to create is to take ordinary ingredients and use cooking techniques that wouldn’t normally apply to them. For example, using the sous vide technique (commonly used for beef) on strawberries to infuse them with yuzu and turn them into sashimi. Strawberries are an “ordinary” ingredient, but you can create an entirely new dining experience by changing the way you treat them.
I have always had this “out of the box” way of thinking. I stopped eating meat when I was 7 so I have been cooking plant based a long time. When I decided to become a chef, instead of going to culinary school, I traveled the world learning new and unusual techniques and simply applied them to plants.
Everyone successful has had challenges to overcome in their careers. I am no different. It’s not about how many challenges you have, it’s about how many you can deal with and keep moving forward. Being successful at anything in life requires tenacity.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I love Los Angeles and I love showing “my LA” to people visiting! “My LA” is nature, arts, and food! Day 1: Malibu. Spend the morning hiking in the gorgeous Santa Monica Mountains then down to pick up sandwiches and salads from John’s Garden and to the beach to swim, relax, and picnic. Happy hour at Cafe Habana. Back to the beach for a sunset stroll. Day 2: Downtown. Downtown is home to a few great museums. My favorite being The Broad. Lunch at one of the many fabulous restaurants downtown (my fav would be Pizzeria Bianco for the marinara pizza). Save room for a sweet treat at Donut Friend! Take in a show at the Walt Disney Concert Hall. It’s a marvel! Day 3: Hollywood. Hike up Griffith Park to the observatory for great views of the whole city and the Hollywood Sign. Grab a snack (apple galette or chickpea salad sandwich) at The Trails at the base of the trail. Take a rock-n-roll tour of the Sunset Strip or take in more art at The Getty. Hollywood has so many incredible plant based restaurants, but check out Pura Vita, it’s divine!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I am a huge believer in having mentors in your life. I am lucky to have had some really fantastic ones! Two notables are my acting coach Milton Katselas and the book he wrote called Dreams Into Action and Ric Scalzo, the founder of Gaia Herbs. I also have to include my incredible family. Especially my Great Grandmother, Grandmother, and Mother who all encouraged me to follow my dreams and how to cook.

Website: https://lesliedurso.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lesliedurso/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslie-durso-85046a17/

Twitter: https://x.com/LeslieDurso

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cheflesliedurso

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8y5UgdPKc5giiYaZBSJ7hA

Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@lesliedurso?lang=en

Image Credits
Laura Grier Photography
Lilia Photo