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

Hi Marta, how do you think about risk?
I strongly believe the saying, “you’ll never know until you try.” I would never be where I am today if I had not taken so many risks! Risk-taking has always been part of my life and has molded my career every step of the way. I grew up in Poland and studied organic chemistry, thinking I’d work in forensic science. But after I received my Master’s Degree, I realized something else was calling my name. I knew I wanted to spend my time creating and somehow bringing the splendor and magic of my childhood to life. So in 2002, I decided to take that first risk and I opened my own flower shop. It wasn’t long until I realized I had a keen eye for art and design, and my flower shop became a huge success. But even though business was booming and my clients were loyal and happy, I realized I still wanted more. So two years later I sold my business and I embarked on an even bigger risk: a new life in America. That was by far my biggest risk to date. I was filled with a new zest for life, but when you move to a new country alone, barely speaking the language and starting from zero, it’s a challenge on many levels. I had to start a totally new life: new home, new job, new friends, you name it. But I trusted in myself and I saw it like working in another start-up. I used the risks and stresses involved to my advantage, as my fuel and my energy for my future. For few years I found work in doing floral arrangements for weddings and parties, but as time went on, I couldn’t help but notice the wonder of the desserts and beautiful cakes at all these venues. That’s when I figured out my ultimate calling and took my American journey to another level! I put all my eggs in one basket and enrolled in the French Pastry School in Chicago. And here I am today, Executive Pastry Chef for the group of the private member’s clubs Soho Houses in California, and founder of my own online pastry boutique, MaLA Sweet Treats. One of the most important values a successful entrepreneur can have is dedication: dedication to your visions, your goals and most importantly, your risks. The worst risk is not taking any risk, and failures can only make you stronger and make you who you are. After all, what is life without risk?

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I always say I am a chemist by profession, florist by passion and cake artist by obsession! I’ve lived many different lives and I feel that each experience has enriched my perspective and my work. I am proudest of the fact that every day, I get to feel the same adrenaline rush and goose bumps that made me become a pastry chef in the first place. Being able to share that passion and creativity with others through my creations at Soho House and my own boutique is a joy like no other. Getting to the point where I am today was definitely not an easy task. It took me years of stress, sacrifice, hard work, sleepless nights, and long days. Working in a kitchen is like a boot camp: it’s fast-paced, has its own hard rules, and you have to make it on your own to survive! I overcame it by pushing through, maintaining a strong vision, and understanding that everything worthwhile takes time and patience. Working with my Soho House family (from Chicago to Miami to California) has also taught me so much in the last six years. In hospitality, you quickly learn to always stay positive and be ready to jump in to any circumstance. There is usually no time to think too much — you have to take action and remember the customer is always right. So you sharpen your people skills, your team-building skills, your multi-tasking skills, you name it. So many hospitality skills are valuable life lessons and have served me well beyond the kitchen. Life throws so many challenges at us and I always try to see them as an opportunity to learn and work harder. COVID-19 made me think about how I could become useful and share some love and happiness with others. At the beginning of the pandemic, I was just donating chocolate chip cookies all over Los Angeles. I baked and delivered 600 cookies out of pocket, and it was such an amazing experience. Seeing so many happy faces and such excitement gave me all this fuel and I didn’t want to stop. So I decided to embrace the unknown and spread joy where I can, which is why I created MaLA Sweet Treats, my online boutique. I wanted to bring alive the same childlike wonder that made me take risks in the first place. So MaLA Sweet Treats is a place where you can find all sort of custom-made and special occasion desserts (even healthy and vegan!), all made with fabulous designs, the highest quality ingredients and passion. In all of my business ventures and personal life, I’ve learned the importance of never giving up on your visions and dreams. So whatever you do and wherever you are, don’t stop and just work hard! I’ve learned that trying new things — even if it means leaving your comfort zone — always brings rewards. Go for it!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m always so excited when someone comes to visit me! California is such a pretty place and has so much to offer, especially its outdoor activities. I always love to start the trip by the beachside, with breakfast either at Gjusta (a hidden gem in the heart of Venice) or Backyard Bowls in Santa Monica. There’s nothing better than a morning walk alongside the ocean waves! Next I like to take the Pacific Coast Highway all the way down to Palos Verdes for a walk in the Palos Verdes Peninsula Garden, and lunch and drinks by the ocean at Rancho Palos Verdes. The PCH drives are my favorite, so I love taking them up to Malibu, too. The Getty Villa is a must-see for its rich history, fascinating art and unbeatable views. And Malibu Farm is a great option for lunch and dinner! As a former florist, I’m obsessed with Botanical Gardens in LA, like the Arboretum Garden, the Descanso Gardens and the Japanese Garden. And I can’t get enough of the art and beauty at The Broad Museum (especially my favorite Infinity Room by Yayoi Kusama), the streetlights at LACMA, Greystone Mansion and the Getty Center for a picnic. And as a foodie, I can’t get enough of the food scene here in LA! Some of my favorite places eat and drinks at include Majordomo, Bestia, Animal, Vespertine, Nobu, Spago, Drinks-Death &Co and Citrin. And if time ever allows for it, I love a spontaneous road trip to Santa Barbara, Joshua Tree or Palm Springs. The city has so much great energy and there are so many ways to create unforgettable memories here!

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?
I’ve been so lucky to have the most incredible support system in my family, friends and co-workers. Above all else, I owe so much to my forever heroes: my mother and grandma. I lost my dad when I was eleven, so growing up it was only us four girls in the house: my grandma, my mom, my sister and me. I remember my childhood being so creative and full of life and beauty, with my family always cooking, baking, sewing, etc. I draw a great deal of inspiration from their strong will and ability to find the grace and beauty in life, despite its challenges. My mom thought me everything I know and she drilled in me my passion and attention to detail that leads everything I do. I also can’t forget to thank my “Pastry Fathers,” the amazing chefs Sébastien Canonne M.O.F. and Jacquy Pfeiffer. They are the founders and creators of the French Pastry School in Chicago, a magical place that holds a special place in my heart and changed my life forever. While letting me explore my own passions, they also taught me the importance of technique and detail, and the lessons of hard work and never giving up. Because of Sébastien and Jacquy, I fell in love with a chef’s ability to create something simultaneously gorgeous and edible, with limitless options. Lastly, I must give a shout out to Chef Andrea Cavaliere, the Executive Chef for all Soho Houses in North America. From the very beginning of my career, he believed in me and gave me my start in the Chicago Soho House. He trusted in me along the way, and helped me grow from a pastry cook position all the way to an Executive Pastry Chef position. He taught me the essential elements of the hospitality industry and always raised the bar for me.

Website: www.malasweettreats.com
Instagram: @mkamelia, @mala_sweettreats
Linkedin: Marta Kantorowicz
Facebook: MaLA Sweet Treats

Image Credits
Emi Morell Juan M Gallegos

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