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Candice Custodio | Chef, Paso Robles

@chefcandice

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Executive Chef
@cass_winery Catering | Events
Founder of @clubsupsup | Chopped S51|E7
@beardfoundation network alum
🇵🇷🇲🇽
⬇️Private Dining

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Thank you, @cherrybombe, for inviting me to be part of their event onto their panel, giving me a chance to talk about my mushroom dealer 😂, and bringing such a special experience to Paso Robles.

I met so many inspiring people, discovered new products, made new connections, and somehow got to see the place I call home in a whole new way.

Wow! I get to say this is now my second time on a panel. I’m SO grateful for the experiences that keep unfolding, even when I’m exhausted. What a blessing to be tired from living the life you dreamed of. 🥹

#CherryBombe #FarmersAndMakers #PasoRobles #PasoRoblesFood #CentralCoastFood by @chefcandice

Oh, how I want to hop a plane to anywhere.

Missing grilled meats in Japan, Beach side tacos in Mexico, Dark Lagers in Munich, Pork knuckles in Prague, space cakes in Amsterdam, Italian Food in Costa Rica, and so much more.

Next up: Back to Lima...can't wait for my daily emoliente, pan con palta, @elchinitosangucheria, and the humidity that does wonders for my skin and hair. 😂😍

#TravelMemories
#takemethere
#worldtraveller
#livingthedream
#MomLife by @chefcandice

My version of watching what I eat. 😂🦇

Literally. Watching it go straight into my mouth.

I swear, every morning I wake up thinking, “Today’s the day I start being mindful about what I eat.”

But then I remember...Tasting, eating, exploring new flavors… that's literally part of the job description, right?! IT'S RESEARCH. 😂

And then we finally get a table @lebberspizza, been trying to visit forever, and of course they have dishes I've never tried before.

Am I supposed to just NOT order them?!

Anyway, here's me dressed as a bat, minding my business and conducting very important culinary research.

I'll watch what I eat tomorrow. More likely though I'll just make you watch it. 🦇🍽️

#ChefLife #ChefCandice #FoodieLife #CulinaryResearch HalloweenHumor by @chefcandice

Living this little dream of mine. ♥️

Never thought I’d be a family woman, but look at this gorgeousness. Grateful for every bit of it, and soaking it up because I know one day I’ll wish I could come back to right here.

I recently had a former employee try to bring some drama into our family. And listen… let's all be grateful I've worked hard on myself and my self-control. 👿😅 I’m protective of this little world we’ve built, and I’m choosing to keep my energy where it's deserved and needed.

Thank you, @sarahkathleenphoto for capturing us so beautifully. I did the side-by-sides from our last session, before Baby R was even here. How has so much changed so fast? 🥹

What a life. What a privilege to call it mine.

#livingthedream
#toddlermom
#girlmom
#cheflife
#FamilyDay by @chefcandice

Oh, @clubsupsup ♥️

I always tell people this is my playground. All my dreams, aspirations, brainworms, and half-baked ideas get a seat at the table.

Sometimes a dish earns a permanent spot on future menus. Sometimes it scratches an itch, teaches me something, and sends me chasing a new concept.

I especially love exploring the oddbits. There’s been ostrich. A goat I processed myself. And this time, lamb.

Pasilla adobo–braised lamb. Birria consommé. Garlic-and-lime charred Brussels sprouts. Hibiscus-vinegar pickled Brussels leaves. Popped sorghum.

Rich, tender meat, charred edges, little pops of crunch, and acidity to pull it all together.

I loved this dish. Would I make some adjustments before putting it on a more mainstream menu? Absolutely. That’s part of the work, too.

But man, I’m so happy it existed exactly here, at this table, in this moment.

#ClubSupSup #ChefCandice #SupperClub #PasoRobles #WomenInFood CentralCoastFood by @chefcandice

“Don’t ever get old...."

Someone told me that in my 20s. Now I’m approaching my 40s and, man… I’m going through some shit.

When did these lines show up? Who authorized these gray hairs?! 😂

And somehow, at the exact same time, I feel more powerful and beautiful than I ever have.

I can stress about the lines forming and love the woman I’m becoming. Those lines are a roadmap of this incredible, messy, full life I’m living.

At the end of the day… wow. I’m still here. I’m raising babies, running a kitchen, building something of my own. Kicking ass and taking names—with a little more skincare involved.

For someone who couldn’t picture life past 21, this is a pretty wild plot twist.

And now people think I’m somebody?! Babe, I’m still wrapping my head around it, too. ♥️

#ChefCandice #ThisIs37 #AgingOutLoud #StillBecoming #WomenInFood by @chefcandice

How sexy is it to be a badass b*tch running her own kitchen? 🔥

From intimate private dinners to plated wedding dinners for 170—and bacon-wrapped dawgs for the afterparty. It’s called range, baby. 😂🤌🏽

I’m only 5’2”, but I run that kitchen like I’m seven feet tall.

Still learning. Still staying humble. But damn, the t*ts are sitting right. 💅🏽

#ChefCandice #WomenInFood #ChefLife #CentralCoastFood #PasoRobles by @chefcandice

It's easy to forget how much I love and need these early mornings.

I used to get up early, I used to stay up late, I used to do a lot of things before we had littles climbing in to our bed at 1 am.

Last night I let my phone battery die overnight. It kept me from the early am doom scrolling that flattens me in bed and wastes my morning.

This morning I got to watch the sun rise, left some food for the family, and got some time to center.

It's hard getting out of bed in the dark, but it's so worth it.

#momlife
#diaryentry
#cheflife
#RuralLife
#sunrise☀️ by @chefcandice

A love song to rendering fat.

There’s something deeply satisfying about taking discarded bits and giving them new life. A little heat, some patience, and suddenly you have something beautiful to cook with again.

So much of inspiration behind my dishes is from the concept of scarcity. Finding another meal in what’s left. Saving the bones, scraping the pot, knowing the fat has a purpose too.

I think about that when I’m trimming meat. An animal’s life went into this food. The least I can do is pay attention to what I’m throwing away.

Slow work. Little transformations. It's oddly therapeutic.

#nofoodwaste
#FarmToTable
#chefandice
#slowcooking
#cookingwithlove❤️ by @chefcandice

This started as an attempt to rescue a very disappointing watermelon. Rubbery, not sweet… nobody was eating it. 😅

I diced it up and stewed it with cherry tomatoes, jalapeños, garlic, and white onion, thinking salsa. Somewhere along the way, spinach and shrimp joined the party, and it became a warm sandwich for lunch. The plot twists were inspired by my desire to do the least amount of dishes. 😂

During the pandemic, people used to text me whatever random ingredients they could find, and I’d help them turn it into dinner.

With what groceries cost these days, I think we need to bring that back.

What’s sitting in your fridge that you have absolutely no idea what to do with? Drop your random ingredients below. Let’s figure out lunch. 🤙🏽

#ChefCandice #UseWhatYouHave #KitchenCreativity #LessFoodWaste
#budgetfriendlymeals by @chefcandice

Don’t get pervy. My thighs are so committed to each other, there’s nothing to see. 😂

Found this original Jordan Bulls jersey at a thrift store and obviously had to build an outfit around it. Could I sell it? Probably. But where’s the conversation starter in that? 😎

Spent the afternoon with friends and family, then propped up my phone for a timer selfie next to the “Bronco,” as the kids call it. A little family time, a little main character behavior. Balance. 🤙🏽😂

What a life. ♥️

#ChefOffDuty #ThriftedStyle #Bulls23 #MomLifeUnfiltered #CentralCoastLife by @chefcandice

12 hours later, and this is pretty much the only picture I have. 🤙🏽😅

Started with a paella lunch, ended with a Puerto Rican–Indian fusion wedding. Over 250 people served, and my stress level was at its MAX. (I also literally caught myself on fire. )

Something you might not know about me: I have a temper. 😂 I work very hard to keep her in check, but today she wanted OUT.

There was a voice in my head saying, “You can’t do this. You’re not going to make it.” And another saying, “Failure is not an option. Figure it out.”

I wanted to leave. I wanted to quit. I kept going. And with my team, we got it done.

By the time I hobbled to my car, all I felt was relief. Proud, exhausted, and very ready to sit the hell down.

Back at it tomorrow. And Monday. No weekend over here. 😅

#DoWhatYouLove, am I right?

#livingthedream
#cheflife
#latinachef
#centralcoastchef by @chefcandice