Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachel Sundet.
Rachel, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
After graduating from Columbia University with a degree in Anthropology, I wasn’t sure of my next move. I made a plan, with the support of my parents, to do a cooking course at Leith’s School of Food & Wine in London. Excited by the prospect of time in the kitchen and living abroad with my paternal grandmother, I got a summer job at Upstairs on the Square in preparation for the move. I started as a line cook and was hooked. I loved cooking school so much that I decided to stay on for the year. When I moved back to Boston, I returned to Upstairs, working under Amanda Lydon and Susan Regis, who set the tone for my career in terms of drive, passion and quality.
Ready for a new challenge, I moved to Seattle, getting two jobs – one at Macrina Bakery, owned by Leslie Mackie, and also at Brasa restaurant, owned by Chef Tamara Murphy. I worked as an early baker and a nighttime line cook, expanding my skill set and enjoying the hustle of the work. After meeting my now husband, Tyler, while working together on the line, we decided to move east. A short internship on a goat dairy in Maine cleared our heads, and we were ready to get back to the kitchen. We joined the family at Hungry Mother and haven’t looked back. I became the pastry chef at Hungry Mother in 2010, and in December of 2013, Tyler and I joined the ownership team in opening State Park. In 2015, I was awarded Rising Star Pastry Chef by StarChefs, and also Best of Boston Pastry Chef by Boston Magazine.
In July of 2016, our group opened Mamaleh’s Delicatessen, where I oversee the in house bakery program, of which I am incredibly proud! In July of 2017, we opened Cafe du Pays. It has been a very busy few years! But throughout it, I continue to rediscover how much I love baking. Beyond the kitchen, I take the most pride in being part of incredible team, and in creating a work home for so many beloved employees.
Has it been a smooth road?
Definitely not! There are always challenges in any given circumstance, and as soon as you get through one, at least 2 more present themselves, leaving you wondering why you thought it was hard before.
Mamaleh’s has probably been the biggest challenge just in terms of figuring out what all the systems needed to be and starting such an ambitious project from scratch, figuring it out along the way. I try to keep reminding myself how far I, and my co-owners have come – how much we’ve learned about ourselves and about how to lead. There is still so much to accomplish, but in order to keep moving forward, you have to remember where you came from.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Mamaleh’s Delicatessen, State Park and Cafe du Pays – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Our three restaurants are all unique and pretty interesting in their own ways. State Park is the place where you go for casual, easy going time with friends – great food, unpretentious service and atmosphere, and just pure fun.
Mamaleh’s draws on family, tradition and history to create a modern deli experience – loved by those who grew up with Jewish food and also by those who have never heard of a knish before walking in the door. We try to be a place where all generations, and people of varying backgrounds can come together to enjoy.
Cafe du Pays is our newest venture. French Canadian, by way of New England, taking inspiration from the family heritage of our partner, Heather Mojer, Cafe du Pays is the perfect spot for cocktails and snacks in our beautiful bar, or a celebratory meal shared with friends (cooked impeccably by Chef Dan Amighi!).
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
There is so much happening in Boston all the time – the food scene is incredibly vibrant now, so there is inspiration everywhere. The toughest part is probably the traffic — I do not look forward to my commutes!
Contact Info:
- Address: Mamaleh’s and State Park are both located at: One Kendall Square, Cambridge MA
Cafe du Pays is at 233 Cardinal Medeiros Ave in Cambridge. - Website: mamalehs.com / statepark.is / cafedupays.com
- Phone: 617.958.DELI / 617.848.HELLO / 617.314.PAYS
- Email: shalom@mamalehs.com / hello@statepark.is / bonjour@cafedupays.com
- Instagram: @mamalehs / @stateparkbar / @cafedupays
Image Credit:
The head shot is from Boston Chefs
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