This week, we explore the parallels between the restaurant industry and building software with Anne Cantera. We dig into how the high-pressure, fast-paced culinary world can enrich the practice of UX design.
Is it shocking to compare working in a restaurant to UX design?
If you’ve ever worked in a restaurant, I don’t think it would come as such a surprise.
Celebrated chef turned UX designer, Anne Cantera would agree.
In this episode, I chat with Anne whose career has simmered in both the culinary and tech industries. Anne’s journey from the heat of the kitchen to the digital design world brings an intriguing perspective to the table.
Puns intended😉
Anne shares how her experiences in high-pressure, fast-paced restaurant environments have enhanced her understanding of UX design. She draws a parallel between the urgency of a kitchen service and the user-centric world of software development. She emphasizes the importance of precision, timing, and customer satisfaction in both domains.
We dig into the concept of ‘mise en place’ – a culinary practice of setting up and organizing ingredients before cooking. Anne beautifully related this to the planning and organization required in designing user-friendly software. This analogy serves as a reminder that success in both cooking and design relies on preparation and clarity of vision.
Anne’s insights are peppered with personal anecdotes and practical wisdom, making our discussion both educational and entertaining. Her unique blend of culinary and UX expertise serves as a reminder that diverse experiences can enrich our professional abilities, offering fresh flavors to traditional practices.
DISCLAIMER: There are some serious spoilers in this episode from the Hulu series “The Bear.” So if you haven’t watched it yet, go binge the series and come back to listen to this episode!
Topics:
• 12:42 – Mis en place
• 17:53 – User centered approach
• 26:52 – Iterative process
• 38:05 – Workflow efficiency
• 39:37 – Prototyping
• 45:24 – Collaboration
• 47:39 – Empathy
• 51:09 – Adaptability
• 55:36 – Feedback integration
Helpful Links:
• Connect with Anne on LinkedIn
• Watch The Bear on Hulu
Product Designer / Bot Builder / Conversation Designer / Prompt Whisperer / Voiceflow Enthusiast
About Anne
Anne Cantera started her remarkable journey at the Culinary Institute of America at 17. Mentored by Wolfgang Puck, she swiftly rose to prominence, earning a nomination for Best Chef in Long Island while balancing life as a mother of three. Renowned for her versatility, Anne has excelled in everything from gourmet cooking to specialized diets, notably for children with autism, and later transitioned into the art of cake design. Now, Anne applies this rich experience to the world of UX design, bringing a unique perspective to the field.
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Meet your host
Jeremy Miller
Designer // Host // Mentor
I’m Jeremy. I’m a product designer from New Orleans. Here are some things I want you to know about me:
- I rally around research
- I’m dedicated to design
- I’m crazy about collaboration
- I’m sweet on the soft skills
- I’m entranced by the end users
- I’m passionate about the product
But most importantly, I know you can’t build great software without great relationships.
So join me here and learn about how to build truly great software.
Meet your host:
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