Filipina Executive Chef Val of Yamashiro talks women empowerment

In celebration of the #InternationalWomensMonth, we highlight tales of real women making it big in their respective fields–stories of Filipino-Americans defying the odds and making a name for themselves, and moreover, exemplifying the strength of a Filipina.

We open this month’s show with the story of Filipino-American Vallerie Castillo-Archer, executive chef of iconic landmark and world-class restaurant #YamashiroHollywood. “As a woman in this industry, it’s very difficult. They don’t look at the chef, they look at me as a female; they look at me as Asian and Filipino,” shares Chef Val. “I love to shout out at the top of my lungs, “I’m the executive chef here!”

Chef Val’s success didn’t come easy nor early in her life. “I didn’t think at 50, I would have a career…that I would have a job,” shares Chef Val, when asked about her rise to her biggest break. As with other moms, Chef Val prioritized her family before anything else, as she didn’t want to miss milestones in her children’s life. “It allowed me to be a good mother to them.”

And boy did her sacrifices pay off–hers is a story that proves it’s never too late to pave a path for yourself and chase your life’s passions.

Watch the full feature to know more about Chef Val’s story of immigration, representation, and women empowerment on #sojannelletv!

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