Selina Progar is an extraordinary pastry chef whose versatility and imagination comes through in everything she makes. You can find her at Umi, Eleven, or Kaya in Pittsburgh, where her confectionary concoctions are standout menu items. But now, you can get to know the woman behind the sweet treats further with our Proust Questionnaire series.
Proust Questionnaire with Selina Progar
Your favorite qualities in a restaurant or chef?
Adaptability. Food is an ever changing living breathing entity. If you find a restaurant or chef that has the ability to move with trends, that makes me want to eat their food.
Your strongest characteristic as a chef?
Leadership and willingness to guide and teach.
One word or phrase to describe your restaurant?
Approachable without pretension.
What inspired you to become a chef?
My dad taught me how to bake and my mom taught me to wholeheartedly chase my dreams and work as hard as you can.
What do you appreciate most in your sous chefs?
Scott Morgan is the best Sous Chef, he and I have been working together for 7 years. His ability to just know what needs to be done without being asked is a quality I couldn’t even dream of. He is the reason I can be who I am!
Your favorite ingredient?
Salt or citric acid.
Your idea of a great evening out?
Omakase sushi and a few cocktails or sake.
Your guilty pleasure meal?
Macaroni and cheese or a Chicago hotdog.
If you weren’t a chef, what would you be?
A farmer. I love gardening, and growing food that you eat!
What’s the best meal you’ve ever had?
It was at Hinoki Sushiko, which is now closed, but it was an 18 course omekase sushi paired with sake and white burgundies. Afterwards the sommelier took us to the bar where he had us do a Japanese whisky tasting and have a few specialty rolls prepared by the chef. I believe we were there for 6 hours.
If you could make a dinner reservation anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Try Selina Progar’s Ube Sweet Soy White Chocolate Cookies from our Cookie Table Competition.
Story by Emma Riva
Photography by Laura Petrilla
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