I had the pleasure of working with Leticia at Stars Cafe, Spectrum Foods, and later for many years at Luna Park. She was always a rock—a calming and competent presence in the often frenetic restaurant environment. One very busy night at Stars Cafe, an elderly woman lost consciousness at her table, and I soon realized she had no pulse. Though I had CPR training, as we laid the woman on the floor, I was very scared I would do more harm than good. Leticia emerged from the kitchen, calmly took her place at the woman's side, checked for a pulse, and—with the same confidence and skill she showed while making seafood light fry—performed chest compressions until the paramedics arrived. After the ambulance had left I was confused, not knowing how the chef had just strolled out of the kitchen and provided life saving care for a stranger. I asked Leticia how she did this. As a cook came from the kitchen to ask Leticia to return she said “I used to work in a hospital” and without any exasperation and totally calm she returned to cooking.