Meet Michael Vanorsby | Chef/Owner

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

Hi Michael, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
Growing up on the southside of Chicago me and my three brothers had the kind of up bringing that will make you out of a man at a very early age. Living in a single parent home my mom did everything she could to provide for me and my brothers so me being the oldest of the three I took on the role of father figure and I would help my mom take care of my brothers ,we took care of each other and that mold me into who I am today. Some nights not having food and having no power would be hard for any kid to go through but it made us strong minded,good hearted,and not afraid of anything which could be all good quality to have in life. My lovely mother did everything she could to raise four boys, but a mom can’t teach a boy how to be a man so we leaned on each other so I lead by example. The power of leading by example is a real thing,some people are inspired by watching others and there is nothing wrong with that. I got involved in sports at school therefore got good grades so I can continue to play my brothers saw that so they wanted to go to school and get good grades. I always worked even at a young age I had a job, working in a neighborhood deli store, cutting meat and cleaning floors. The inspiration was born! My mother always told us that if you want something in life you have to got out there and get it and no one is going to give you anything for free you have to earn it!!,Wow to this day that still resonates to my core.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I was a young man just looking for a job when I moved to Arizona from Chicago to help my mom with the bills didn’t go to college just jumped right into the workforce, started at the time the America West Arena as a dishwasher in the kitchen with no experience at all very terrifying for a young man but with my up bringing I knew hard work would get me to the next level, I was right after being one of the best dishwasher that they ever had hired the main Chef asked what else can you do?? Can you prep?? Do you wanna learn?? I said with some excitement sure and the rest is history. Working in the kitchen allows me to be creative and work with other creative people to always push the envelope because cooking is a revolving door always something new being created as we speak. Cooking is very cool and fun but can also be challenging and stressful especially with time crunches. The lessons I learned along the way was you develop a passion for cooking because you start to care and the end result is giving a person the best food they ever had so when things get a little hard I got back to why I am doing this in the first place and it gets me through. Starting my own business I would like the world to know that when you get a sandwich and lemonade from Sandwich Street you going to get a delicious product that will have you come because the passion is undeniable all natural ingredients made from the heart.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I live in the west valley so we enjoy Westgate, Arrowhead, Vogue in Surprise is a great spot, when in Phoenix downtown Stand up Live, Footprints Arena,Chase Field.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Chef Shawn Kavanaugh, Chef Brother Luck, Chef Richard Preston, Jutta Smith,Paula Vanorsby,Mitchell Vanorsby,Robert Vanorsby,and Deongello Vanorsby

Website: Sandwichstreetaz.com

Instagram: @sandwichstreetaz

Facebook: @sandwichstreetaz

Image Credits
Jutta Smith