We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Emilie Madeleine Dextraze. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Emilie Madeleine below.

Emilie Madeleine, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I’ve always loved pasta, but never imagined I’d become a pasta chef ! A few years ago, I read In Praise of Slow by Carl Honoré, which explores the concept of slow living—a mindful approach that values quality over speed—and it just clicked.

When COVID hit, we all had to slow down, and my interest in the slow movement grew wildly. Working from home felt unfulfilling, so I turned to making pasta almost every day. With so much time to practice, I became obsessed with perfecting pasta shapes. I made so much that I began delivering it to family and friends, and as word spread, more people wanted to try it. Eventually, I launched an online shop, allowing me to sell my pasta and deliver it straight to people’s doors. The sweetest part of that chapter was making deliveries with my dad (s/o Mario) which made the experience even more meaningful.

As I shared my creations on social media, I was surprised by how many people connected with the craft and process. Demand grew quickly, and I started receiving requests for catering, private chef dinners, and even job offers from restaurants.

Ultimately, I decided to take the leap, leave my career, and fully commit to the pasta world. Today, I’m part of the team at Mano Cornuto, one of Montreal’s coolest Italian spots. It’s been an incredible journey, and I’m grateful every day for where it has taken me.

Emilie Madeleine, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Emilie Madeleine Dextraze, but everybody calls me Em. I’m a pasta chef based in Montreal, where I work at Mano Cornuto and run my own brand, Only Pasta. Montreal’s food scene is truly special—I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with many talented chefs through pop-ups, and there’s always an amazing energy when people come together over good food.

I’m deeply inspired by the idea of slowing down and getting back to basics. In the past, I often felt rushed, but making pasta has taught me to embrace a slower, more intentional pace. It’s about moving with purpose, being patient, and finding beauty in something handmade and artisanal. For me, it’s about constant learning, getting better every day, and enjoying some delicious pasta in the process !

My background in PR, marketing, and finance has been key to building a brand that reflects my personality and values while connecting with the right audience. I prioritize quality over quantity, sourcing the finest ingredients, supporting local, making everything from scratch, and using compostable, reusable packaging to align with my commitment to sustainability.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Overcoming perfectionism wasn’t easy—and I’m still working on it—but I’ve learned not to let it get in my way. I realized that aiming for perfection was actually limiting and stressful. When you’re starting something new, making mistakes is essential to mastering your craft. That gap between what you want to create and what you’re currently able to can be discouraging if you’re set on perfection.

Perfectionism was an obstacle for me. I’d hold myself to impossible standards, and struggled to ask for help because I thought I had to do everything myself. Over time I began to understand that true fulfillment comes from within, not from external praise or perfect ravioli. I learned to embrace the process instead of fixating on the result, seeing each step as an opportunity for growth rather than a chance to prove myself. By focusing on doing my best and accepting that imperfection is part of any journey, I found a greater sense of peace and confidence.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

I have so many goals and pasta projects that keep me inspired every day, from exploring different regions of Italy to meeting pasta makers I admire. But most of all, I want to inspire people to cook, try making pasta at home, and just enjoy it.

I’d love to share the techniques behind handmade pasta through workshops, classes, books or social media. Creating experiences that bring people together over a bowl of pasta, with a focus on slowness and intention, is a big part of my vision.

I’m excited to explore new pasta shapes, expand my brand, collaborate with other creatives, and offer products like pasta kits and tools to make pasta even more accessible and fun for everyone.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://itsonlypasta.ca/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsonlypasta/

Image Credits

Scott Usheroff