Meet Paula Medina | Contracted baker/chef, land & community steward

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

Hi Paula, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I think risk is everywhere. Practicing skills to transform risky situations into a tool for growth is imperative to maintaining a fulfilling life. Using the knowledge I gain from my past experiences with risk, it empowers me to be mindful of present risks. Learning how to transform perceived dangers to work for my benefit is something that came with active participation and desire for growth. Dealing with risk has put me in uncomfortable situations but the lessons I learn are always more valuable. Thankfully I have a strong support system regarding the peers and mentors I have in my life.

As a budding entrepreneur I’m making sure to soak up as much knowledge as I can and lead with patience. The work that I’m doing rests in the foundation of empowering the people around me. By creating a safe space to take risks in the kitchen and learn through controlled failure we can create a form of resilience that can be applied to all areas of life. I am learning in every stage and realizing that waiting for a low risk situation to pursue my dreams will keep me stagnant. There are times in life where taking a risk can be put on pause but overall we are all capable of amazing things especially when you have a strong support system.

Taking risks has opened more doors than I could ever imagine. putting myself out there and allowing people to watch me tackle my risks has been a source of opportunity for future endeavors. When people watch you believe in yourself it makes it easier for them to believe in you too. I hope to empower those around me with my actions regarding making space for risk and its lessons.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Eating food is something that everyone experiences, requiring every sense available to them… beautifully ephemeral. We all have stories to tell about food, regarding the way we create our meals, the process of eating and the stories of how it brings us together. I have learned from many beautiful mentors outside and inside the food industry. Participating in the creation and consumption of food is fulfilling in many ways. Being with my loved ones in all processes of making food, is watching everyday art being experienced. Appreciators and artists in the culinary field know the truest expression of food is to sustain the body, excite the mind and embrace 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?
If my best friend was visiting the area my itinerary would consist of visiting the many community gardens and local restaurants Phoenix has to offer. Starting Friday around sunset in the downtown area, I would walk them along Roosevelt starting near the Garfield Neighborhood garden and walk down to Greenwood brewing and get a local ale and mosey down to Arizona Wilderness and order a Counter Culture bean burger made using tepary bean with guac, vegan chipotle ranch, rosemary fries and an AZ Frose. We would conclude our night walking around and checking out the many downtown hot spots like The Nash, Gracies taxbar and Club Downtown. The next morning we would hang out around Tempe town lake and enjoy a bike ride or rent a paddle boat and hang out near the water. In the afternoon we could make lunch using produce we got from the Tempe Farmers Market and get ready to spend our afternoon going to Blick art and supplies to get ready for a Saturday evening painting date. Sunday morning we would head to The Ahwatukee and The Ocotillo farmers market.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Below is a short list of the MANY local Phoenix Food businesses that I collaborate with:

Alex Menendez-Lexas Bakeshop
Amber Wilson – Maddox Lane
Bailey Spears and Frank Covarrubias – Juntos PHX
Emma, Felix, Half, Sabrina, Tabitha, Maria – Rad Cactus Cooperative
Marissa and Kellie Delgado – Arizona Homegrown
Oatman Farms

Instagram: @little.love_big.difference

Image Credits
Holly Valenzuela- Enjoy the Journey Dog Training