The Immigrant Magazine , Feature Story, Aura Imbarus

Ingrid Bedrosian is the owner and the chef of Ingrid’s Café located in the heart of Beverly Hills, at 9861 South Santa Monica Boulevard. Each and every day, since August 2006, beyond the velvety curtains, a world of sophistication reveals itself where each and every client is treated like royalty. Ingrid is known for her excellent service, fresh food, petit French pastries, and reasonable prices.
Ingrid, you were not born in the US, and, probably like so many other immigrants, you had to work way harder to prove yourself that you are serious, dedicated, and knowledgeable. How old were you when you came to the US, and how long did it take you to fit in?
I was born in Iran and came to the US when I was 13. I always thought that fitting in was a real challenge for me. America is very modern and fast-paced, and even if I have always been speedy in my actions, I have been drawn to my past, to the time I used to spend in the bosom of my family. Over there everything was slow and beautiful, caring and warm, people taking their time in displaying their love and ideas to others. In the US, especially in Los Angles that is so spread out and crowded, it is a challenge to see everybody face to face on a weekly basis and respond to their calls immediately. The real test on endurance or fitting in relates to the juggling of two cultures in one environment while striking the needed balance between family and work.

What was your childhood’s dream in regards to what you will become in life, when you will grow up and how close are you to it right now?
My childhood was a path of roses, and my memories are more than vivid and beautiful to me nowadays. My dad was my inspiration, and I always wanted to be like him when I would turn into an adult. His kind natures, his softness around elders, his trust in people, and love for his family have been my motto. My biggest dream is my Café, and I know that my Dad would have been proud of me if he were alive.

For twenty-five years you were part of the entertainment business, working for 20th Century Fox Studios. In what capacities did you work in and what were your most difficult trials as an immigrant?
I worked for Warner Bros and for 20th Century Fox Studios, and in my executive capacity I supported great celebrities such as Mel Gibson, Clint Eastwood, Steve Segal, Steven Spielberg, just to name a few. The hurdles came twofold: being a woman and an immigrant, but learning how to listen well has taught me a great deal. I became successful in my entertainment career for the answer of the cultural puzzle was not in solving it but in decoding it, and that was learned day by day by paying attention to my surroundings, keeping my cool no matter what, and applying my learned life lessons into my working milieu. The cultural barrier has been dissolved slowly but surely.

How did you decide to change your career from an environment that three quarters of this world would love to be part of to becoming the owner and the chef of Ingrid’s Café? Did you always have an attraction for cooking and baking and where did this “love” start?
When you get to a certain age, you realized that there was something in your childhood’s goals that you never really paid attention to or tried to embrace. You always wanted to try it, but you never really had a chance to do it. After a trip to Paris, I came home, and the idea of opening up my own café started haunting my nights. It was after all another career and an old passion of mine, so, not thinking twice, I switched from entertainment to starting my own business. With my husband’s support, I was able to open up Ingrid’s Café that not only embodies my concepts of beauty and gourmet food but also the familiar atmosphere, the coziness of my own house back in Iran. I am not in entertainment anymore, but I do entertain people at my Café.

How is your creative side expressed in your daily activities, and what was the most problematical undertaking you overcame in this new field?
I love unique and beautiful things in life. “Elegant” is my nickname, and I have always appreciated the aesthetical side of our surroundings. Beauty is everywhere, and it is a matter of seeing it and valuing it no matter what. The most problematic undertaking for me has been the struggling economy. Creativity is related to financial means, and in order to survive in this new business I have created for myself, I need to reinvent the wheel each and every day, adjusting myself to the needs of a financially challenged population.

If you were given the chance to go back to Iran would you do it?
I was born in Iran, and I still dream of our street, house, and friends. I would love to go back to visit but not in the current situation. I love my Iran, its people, and I do miss it very much even though I am Armenian.

It is never too late to become whatever you wanted to become. Is this the end of your career discoveries or would you change it once again the way you did before?
I am constantly rediscovering myself in this journey, but career wise this is it. I am working on bettering myself at what I do; my background and my upbringing really play an important role. I was always fascinated by the countryside; the fact that I used to spent my summers with Grandma from my Mom’s side eating apples, strawberries, walnuts, sour cherries, not only has opened up the appetite for natural products but also the desire to create my own pies, salads, and sauces using these ingredients.

Who is your muse in the artistic realm?
I get my inspiration from the Food Network and from my husband John whom I have looked up to for 31 years. Creating a product is like discovering a new world. Each and every time I will do it, I try to change things around and go for unchartered territories. The more challenges I have, the better the product will become. My muse is rooted in my love for nature, people, and for my family.