Victor Villarreal shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Victor , so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. Are you walking a path—or wandering?
I am definitely 50/50 on this. Doing what I call chasing clouds, pretty much my whole life. It got me into alot of places and cool things. But like most cloud chasers you tend to wander off and forgot the in the moment stuff. The last 6 – 7 years have been crazy, emotional, and a very much learning experience for myself. With a great support group of family and friends who I keep close by. The last 2 years having worked for a new company and my role as a Chef flipped to more of a numbers guy has really got me well balanced now where I wanna be. So now that I have kinda slowed down to focus on some things. I think its time to get back to the old me doing my private dinners and collaborating with local chefs. A phrase I like to say is “ Don’t go chasing clouds but forget to live in the moment, but dont live to much in the now to stop and chase the clouds.”- Victor Villarreal
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Victor Villarreal. I am the Executive Chef of Southern Hospitality Group in Fort Worth. We are a primarily bar owned group that is starting to open food trucks at soon to be open bars in the stockyards and also run Star Cafe! Ive been in The business for 30 years starting in RAF Mildenhall, England. I have been a chef in Fort Worth for 20yrs. I love the people , diverse communities , and the service industry here. Now days I maintain daily kitchen operations at SHG and am planning alot of new private dinners at Star Cafe and other kitchens. Collaborating as usual with like minded chefs who love food and working with good people.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a kid I was very very shy. My little sister used to have to hell find me friends. Lol. I always felt limited my whole life. I have had some things in life that weighted on me. Dad dieing while mom was pregnant with me, not the greatest home life, poverty in the beginning. Tie that in with me being a VERY extremely troubled youth. I always loved to cook. But I never in a million years could imagine actually being a chef, or a business owner . I thought the notion of leading a kitchen or being someone who was a good leader was impossible. It always felt like the cards were stacked against me. Time after time, day after day just didnt feel right. Even after working as a cook for 10 yrs I wasn’t still sure but still powered through. It wasn’t until I decided to try fine dining after a couple years off. When I stepped into The Mansion on Turtle Creek with the Chefs there the first day I volunteered. I knew exactly what I was meant for, and I never looked back. I got to work with absolute great Chefs there. John Tesar Tim Byres,Jason Maddy, Eric Brandt, Jeramie Robison to name a few. This is the point in time I find out who I wanted to be and started believing in myself.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes there was a time about 15 years ago I almost completely gave up. On everything. I was sous chef of a great place, but not feeling like I was ever going anywhere. My mental state was not good, my 1st marriage was definitely not going well, I felt like I was drowning at work. Had to make sure everything was as perfect as a restaurant can be at times. I was burning myself out trying to be the best. After awhile I did alot of soul searching. Eventually being fired from the restaurant I was at was something to light a fire under me. It was the first time I had been knocked down professionally in my career. It was a eye opening experience teaching me something vital throughout anything. You can knock me down, but Im gonna keep getting right back up. From then on, I have learned to not seek shelter but to learn to dance in the rain.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
I am one hundred percent exactly who I am behind that little screen and who you meet. I wear my heart on my sleeve and genuinely don’t know how to be any other way. Im passionate about food, music, and my family & friends. I am still extremely shy sometimes so come say hi if you see me out and about!!
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. If you laid down your name, role, and possessions—what would remain?
If you took those things from me. The things you would definitely still see, are my passion for all things in life. The love I have for my inner circle. The legacy of teaching my children, cooks, business colleagues and customers. That life can be good, if you let it.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @chefvictorvfortworth
- Facebook: Victor Villarreal
