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

How does your business help the community?
Plates by Lisa is a Los Angeles based catering company, founded by Chef Lisa Weintraub. Creating a new way of dining, Plates by Lisa offers a customized, in-home, gourmet dining experience. Sourcing organic and sustainable ingredients and supporting local farmers’ markets, Chef Lisa curates a food experience that contributes to her community. Making a local impact and bringing people together, this company cultivates community and meaningful connection.

Plates by Lisa is built on the foundation of integrity, value and respect. These core values are held at the forefront of the business, from client relationships to team management, with meticulous attention to the details that cultivate her unique experiences. Plates by Lisa’s social impact is generated by sourcing local and making eco-conscious decisions. These micro decisions make a direct impact and invest in a future of intergenerational equity.

Each event starts with food sourcing; where your food comes from and what you are choosing to put into your body matters. Behind the scenes, Chef Lisa pursues farmers’ markets across LA in search of nutrient-rich, locally sourced and organic produce. She hand selects each ingredient that goes into creating an authentic, healthy and delicious farm-to-your-table experience. Fusing together influences from around the world, Plates by Lisa introduces a unifying experience onto your plate.

Chef Lisa believes in living intentionally and making mindful business decisions. These beliefs bring awareness to the clients she serves, as well as action and creative consciousness to her community. Turning everyday decisions of where we choose to source our food and acting with social and cultural responsibility, is how we change the world.

Plates by Lisa’s mission to transform the food industry, starts with your plate, creating a nourishing experience and making a difference.

What should our readers know about your business?
Plates by Lisa is my heart. I have put everything I am and all that I value into this business, building it from the ground up and making sacrifices along the way. My journey started with a no. When I tried to open my own restaurant, the rental agent told me “no”. I’m not sure if it was because I was young, a female or inexperienced, but I am grateful for this “no” as an entrepreneur, I was challenged to figure out a different way. I turned the “no” into a “yes” and decided to bring the restaurant experience into peoples’ homes. Over the past 9 years of my career, I have been open to what clients need and want, growing my business, tapping into new skills and in recent years have taken everything I’ve learned and cultivated along the way to change the food industry and how we experience food. I launched my catering company Plates by Lisa: A Curated Food Experience.

Paving my own way has never been easy, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. As an entrepreneur this drive gives me permission to create and challenge myself daily. Presented with firsts, I choose to face them fearlessly, remind myself of my core values and vision, and take these moments as the stepping stones to prepare me for what’s to come. With every mistake, challenge or conflict, I am forced to face it head on. There is no blueprint or department that I can have handle the “issues”. However, these moments in my career encourage me to be the best version of a human and business woman that I can be. Figuring out each step and being involved in every aspect of my company has helped define what I am capable of, establish efficient systems, test my strength, and improve my communication skills, ultimately enabling me to bring my vision to life.

I am most proud of all the self generated opportunities. I try to take moments of presence, take a step back and say to myself, “wow, you did this, I’m proud of you”. I have worked with amazing celebrities, traveled with clients, created residencies at beachfront locations and launched new services and brands. Currently, I’m excited to share the launch of: A Curated Bachelorette Experience exclusively from Plates by Lisa. This concept is the newest party essential changing the standards of bachelorette weekend. There is so much more to come and I believe that operating with diligent work ethic, integrity and value in all that I do, will continue to create opportunities that I didn’t even dream to be possible. The moments that warm my soul most are when clients receive what I’ve created with the same value that I have put into my company. This is when I not only feel aligned in my life, but immensely grateful to my community for being part of it.

I want the world to know that if you have a dream or a vision, go out there and make it happen. You don’t have to take the conventional route and you can break the taboo of the social norm when it comes to your career. Do what makes you happy and work hard to achieve your goals. The hustle is real and success in your business does not come overnight. It is built through blood, sweat and tears, but that’s what make it fulfilling. Even though my success in my career is a piece of me, I have learned that it is not everything. Success isn’t success if it compromises the people you love along the way. My biggest piece of advice is to always maintain this integrity.

What I value in life most isn’t a “thing”, it’s an experience. I am so grateful I get to create this for my clients, celebrating their life moments, making memories, creating happiness and moments of love. When we look back into our lives, this is what we will remember. This is what matters and makes or lives meaningful.

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.
As an LA native, it is always an adventure when a friend visits to explore the city through their eyes and discover new places. First stop is Bay Cities Italian Deli, for an epic sub. Next up, it’s time to hit the coast. A drive up to Malibu is a must, for a scenic hike, ending with a snack from Malibu Seafood enjoyed on the beach, so we can dip our toes into the sand.

For a peek into my daily life, a morning workout at Health House, West Hollywood starts the day with good energy and endorphins. A matcha boba from Urth Cafe or green juice from Joe & The Juice is perfect to replenish. I love to explore Melrose, vintage shop and people watch, walking the streets, eyeing the street art and eating lunch or dinner at Antonio’s.

A day on the West side is my favorite, to get out of the city and be close to the ocean, scootering through Venice is so fun, picking up stylish sunglasses on the boardwalk, watching the talented skateboarders at the skate park and staying for sunset, cuddled up in a blanket.

In the heart of LA there are so many nooks to explore for authentic cultural experiences including Little Tokyo and Olvera Street. I’m so grateful our city has these communities. There’s always something new to do in the city. LA pop-up experiences are a hit, offering art shows, live music, local artisanal markets and so much more.

If there’s a full week, an escape to Santa Barbara is always a highlight, to explore the beach town, visit the funk zone and local wineries and enjoy authentic Mexican food at La Super-Rica.

Dinner would be at my house, invite a few friends over to cultivate community and meld my two worlds together. A paella party is the best, we get to cook together and travel our palates to Spain, enjoyed with tapas under the twinkling lights of my patio.

These are must-sees and then in true Lisa fashion, I would leave space for adventures, letting the magic of the week and life happen.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
To my teammates and community for all the hard work on the behind the scenes details, helping bring my vision to life.

Website: www.platesbylisa.com

Instagram: @platesbylisa

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-weintraub-15234365/

Twitter: @platesbylisa

Facebook: www.facebook.com/platesbylisa

Image Credits
Headshots by: Dawn Minkow @dawnofthedelicious

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.