Meet Leesa Gilroy | @WickedChefNY – Culinary Artist. AKA MonaLeesa

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

Hi Leesa, the decisions we make often shape our story in profound ways. What was one of the most difficult decisions you’ve had to make?
I have lived a life of struggle and chaos; from my childhood, it was all I ever knew. Time and again, I have faced difficult decisions most people have never had to make and the kitchen has always been where I found peace and harmony. My kitchens are where I find balance and can control the chaos, however in my career, the hardest choice I ever made was moving to Arizona at the time I did. I bought my food truck right after my husband passed away and what should have been a quick cosmetic repair job became a disaster. It took 6 years of repairs through the delays of Covid. Immediately after opening I received amazing feedback and never had a single complaint about the food. Every single day I worked, usually by myself, including shopping, prepping, and being open 12 hours; it was a feat that had people amazed… which in NY is a feat in itself. Even with the success I was experiencing I wanted more; bigger, better. I knew what I was yearning for wouldn’t happen in New York; Besides the cost, the conditions, the taxes, and all the rest, there was just too much wrong. Six months after opening a business that took me 6 years to open, I decided to move. My brother lives in Sedona and Arizona is gorgeous, and I was motivated to sell the truck and move across the country a month ago. I humbled myself and went to work for someone else, learning yet another new skill to add to my arsenal. Every day I search for my next opportunity and connections to grow and thrive in the West. It was hard to give up something I spent so long on, something that kept me motivated to stay alive when I wanted to die, to explore the unknown and have the faith in myself and my abilities that I could build something in an area where I know exactly four people. In my heart I know it was the right decision. Everything in New York is a fight, a struggle, a bunch of nonsense for the smallest thing to get accomplished. Every day I’m here I wake up knowing I’m working towards a legacy I can build, and enjoy life while doing it.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I don’t know if most people consider culinary art a creative venture, especially if it’s not high end, I lived in Brooklyn, where the best art is the street art. When I opened my food truck I wanted to bring that vibe into food. I call it “Culinary Street Art” , to show that just how “art” can be in the form of graffiti, culinary art can be attained with imagination and creativity into everyday “street food.” My signature name is “MonaLeesa” When I have the freedom to do my own thing, no 2 dishes are the same. A different design, a different drizzle, a different intention goes into each person’s personal creation. I’ve made plenty of mistakes. They’re how I learned. But I do not make the same one twice in my cooking. I will try 1000 different ways until it exactly what I want. It’s funny how most people correlate great cooking at home with women, but professionally with men. I love being underestimated. The jump from doubt to dumbfounded is way more impactful than from expectation to disappointment. There is nothing more powerful to bond people, or create/recreate memories than food. If your goal isn’t to make people forget about their problems and for just one moment, be in the moment, caught up in deliciousness, what’s the point? Food in AZ, some of it, is great quality. But none of it that I have seen, is anything like my style. I can’t wait to bring MonaLeesa’s Wicked Creations to AZ.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Man. I don’t need to wait for anyone to visit. I just moved here myself. Every day is a new adventure, a new discovery, a new place I want to try. I can say of the places I have tried, I love eggstacy over the other breakfast places. The Bourbon Grill I cannot wait to revisit. I’m used to things being open late, which isn’t really a thing in Scottsdale, so when I leave work at 10pm I might stop at Portillos for an amazing salad and get my boyfriend their awesome Chicago beef. The place I am working now, State 48 Brewery, in Surprise, has a separate room called The Barrel Room which is my little section of their immense spot, is great. I love the vibe, the decor, the theme of Italian tapas and woodfired pizzas, versus their usual (really good) bar food menu. Plus I really like the owner, an Italian woman from NY who just loves AZ. She inspires me to create just a piece of the empire she created here. I can’t wait to check out the zoo, the aquarium, the stadiums (you will definitely find me at the Giants vs Cardinals game Week 2! ) I went to high school with NeYo, who just opened a spot in Glendale I definitely want to check out. I’m trying to eat healthier and live a healthier lifestyle here, but I have to give a shoutout to I heart mac n cheese in Scottsdale, cuz family. Pizza Bianco is def on my bucket list, as I am a total pizza snob. I’m excited to check out the Salt River….damn, I could go on all day on things I’m looking forward to here.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My Sicilian Nana was my first inspiration for all things culinary. My first mentor that taught me the most about Italian food, Jimmy D, who I am still friends with, deserves a shoutout. My brother Alec, who has motivated me to always strive to be and have better, he has been my light in the darkness since I was 14 and he was born. My boyfriend and my doggie Trixie, who bring me balance and remind me that there’s more to life than success, which I tend to forget. And i dedicate to all the people I have loved and lost unnecessarily, the life I live every day.

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