Name: Maya Erickson
Age: 20
Gig: Pastry Chef at AQ Restaurant & Bar

What’s your professional background, and how did you get into the field?
"I just started working. I did an internship at Citizen Cake for almost a year, plus I spend all my money on cookbooks to learn and get inspiration."

What drawbacks does your profession have, if any?
"Many. You’re always tired, or in pain — or both. You’re constantly working, there’s no time for breaks, but it's worth it."

What other restaurants in S.F. do you love?
"Commonwealth, Bouche, Katana-Ya, and Lers Ros."

Any recipes you have yet to try?
"Right now I’m just working on perfecting my French macaron."

What do you feel is a good guy-to-girl ratio in the kitchen?
"I don’t think it matters, to be honest. What matters is how everybody in the kitchen interacts, if they support each other, and if it's fun to work with them."

Photographed by Molly DeCoudreaux