We're featuring the personal stories of several chefs from New York City and around the country to see what they went through on that morning 10 years ago, and how 9/11 has affected them as people and as chefs.
Julian Medina is Executive Chef at Toloache, Yerba Buena and Coppelia.
Where were you and what happened on the morning of 9/11?
I was at home where I used to live in Astoria. I remember my friend Patricio Sandoval, chef/owner of Mercadito, called me and said that a small airplane or helicopter hit a Twin Tower. I turn on the TV and started watching the worst day on my life. I went to the roof of my building and watched the second tower collapse. A few hours later I rode my bike to the city to work at Sushi Samba Park Avenue, where I was the chef. After that day I couldn't sleep as I used to.
What kind of lasting effect has 9/11 had on you?
When I talk about this I get goose bumps and I get scared! I would never forget the feeling of me cooking that night. There was tension from everyone and, personally, I was devastated. It took me a year to get back normally to my life and sleep through the night.
More memories from September 11:
