Meet Sebastien Pourrat | Chef & Enterpreneur

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

Hi Sebastien, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Taking risks is part of my DNA. This is for me a positive action. Aiming for solutions, fighting hard, facing new challenges, staying out of my comfort zone. A failure, a success, a journey with a goal is always rewarding, fulfilling.
It triggers the « feeling alive » mindset and i feel it should be the ultimate ambition for anyone.
The sense of achievement that comes with taking risks is priceless and this is the best fuel for happiness.
I started my « big risks » career moving from Paris to New York. I knew no one in the big city, my English was poor, I had no experience in doing business in the US. And I did it. It’s been a very bumpy road, full of fear, hope, tears but it’s been a success. Business wise but also on a personal matter. I feel I was born second time here in the US. I feel there’s the former me and the new one. And I love the new me because the more I move forward the more I learn new lessons and the more I’m aligned with myself.
Moving to LA during Covid and leaving behind what I build in NYC has been quite a decision. But deep inside I felt this was the right one and this should be the only thing we should take into consideration.
I took the biggest risks of my life. Starting from scratch. With a lot of experience though…and a de3sire to make things happen in a good way.
I’ve never been happier than now because I know that all the risks I took from the very beginning were meant to take me where I am today.
I keep this quote from Robert Fitzgerald Kennedy on a post-it since I arrived in the US.
« Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly »

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m driven by a couple of things that define me professionally and personally. As a chef. As an entrepreneur. I discover new lands. In short i dedicated my life to go and find my gold which is happiness and i use my language which is food to introduce myself and be part of the great communities i happen to meet. This is not an easy path at all. But if you know where you’re going there’s always a way to make it happen. As long as you enjoy the ride.
America was made by pioneers and i feel that i’m one of them somehow. Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness…
Leaving your own country to become a foreigner is not an accident. This is a choice.
I’m from the land of the basques and i live in California.
Basque is not a country it’s a lifestyle. California is The lifestyle.
So I decided to blend them and my new concept/brand was born.
Basqueria.
This is obviously a lifestyle brand. Organized around real food. Around real people who meet. Around real hospitality.
For now I’m doing some private dinners and brands partnerships. Always outside. I set up a grill with an open fire. And i grill some basques specialties, paellas…
I sell my specialty salts at farmer’s stands and grocery market, I’m working on the launch of my burnt basque cheesecake.
Also doing some collabs with cool brands, creating dishes or as a guest chef
And I’m on the verger to launch my flagship.,,

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would start with a hike at Griffith park. So you get a sense of LA. The weather. The trifecta city/ocean/mountain. The urge of waking up to contemplate the beauty of a sunrise. The breakfast being one of the most important thing in the city along with the burrito I’d offer to go and have this LA staple at angry Egret dinette. And touring Chinatown.
Direction Silverlake. From the junction at sunset taking a stroll and having a coffee at intelligentsia.
Ototo for lunch. Japanese essential.
Hitting the 10 toward Venice beach. Abbot Kinney. Iconic. Shops. And the Venice board walk. Muscle beach. The skate park. The people. The noise. A lifestyle.
Dinner at Gjelina restaurant. The origin of Californian food. A night cap at rooster fish.
Last but not least the iconic PCH -pacific cost highway- fort a trip to Malibu. Walking on the beach at Surfrider. Looking at the sunset. Leaving the California dream. And discovering the Basqueria world.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Without a doubt my wife Sofie..We met in Paris 16 years ago. She’s part of this journey and nothing would have ever happened without her. She’s been on my side whatever my choices could have been even though she’s kind of the opposite of me. She is risk adverse and definitely more reasonable than i am. But she has supported me no matter what . With an open heart. With an endless dedication. And the funny part is that she’s now very grateful that i chose to take us to California. She wouldn’t wanna be anywhere else.
I never feel weak as long as she’s on my side.
On top of that she’s the best business partner.

Website: Basqueria.co

Instagram: @basqueria

Image Credits
Sofie Roelens