Rachel's Menu
The Menu invites Chic, Conscious Consumers to share their go to products & passions because what’s more curated than a menu? From skincare to soundtracks, here’s what's on their plate...
Napkin Notes from your Home Chef, Phia
Allow me to introduce you to ur first ever “Guest Chef”— Rachel Benchimol…
To me, Rachel is a global dish—layered, comforting, likely nestled in rice, but with a kick of jalapeño that reminds you not to underestimate her.
We met on TikTok, trading comments until we became each other’s unofficial audience. When I post,I am of course speaking to whoever’s FYP I appear on— but I am talking to Rachel. Fun fact: her compliments on my chicness actually inspired the term Chic, Conscious Consumer. So it only feels right that she’s the first ever Guest Chef.
Rachel is one of those rare people who hasn’t let America flatten her flavor. She connects with people in the way your favorite cousin does—the one who calls everyone family and actually means it.She reminds me of my family members that make everyone feel welcomed and like family is an ever evolving world that grows to include old and new friends She brings people in, she builds bridges, and she makes community look effortless.
And let’s be clear: Rachel is also one of the coolest and smartest people I know. She and her sister run a Substack called By Benchis, and together they’re doing the Lord’s work—curating the kind of small, chic brands that make you say, Wait, how do they find this stuff? Exactly why, as the Home Chef, I had to serve Rachel’s Menu.
Without further ado Let’s Digest!
What is your favorite restaurant?
I honestly don't think I have a single favorite restaurant. It's funny, for someone who creates so many travel guides and has an entire notes app filled with favorite places to eat, and yet the moment someone asks me on the spot, my mind goes completely blank. I think, for me, there are two categories: restaurants that are consistent and restaurants that are novel. Consistency - whether it's in the food, service, or ambiance - is something I really value. There's something comforting about knowing exactly what to expect and being able to rely on it. On the other hand, novelty and newness are exciting too; they offer surprise, discovery, and a sense of adventure. For example, in Paris, I love Ferdi, its sister restaurant Dinand, Kinugawa in Vendôme, and Diep - places I keep returning to, despite the endless wave of new openings in the city. I think, especially in Paris, I like revisiting the spots I loved when I lived there. It feels like a way of keeping old memories alive while meeting my new self in the process. In New York right now, I'd say Virginia's (they have a delicious burger) and Pitt’s are at the top of my list. I’m a sucker for American food done right.
Describe yourself in 3 words:
Eclectic, funny, and persistent.
Describe yourself or what you do using references from movies,characters, TV shows, or songs.
If I had to describe myself through a song, I’d probably choose "The Lady Don’t Mind" by Talking Heads. I’m a big fan of Talking Heads in general - honestly, most of their songs could describe different parts of me. I’ve always loved 70s and 80s rock; it's the kind of music that really resonates with me and what I listen to constantly.
Another pretty describable song is "When Doves Cry" by Prince. Anything from around that particular time frame speaks deeply of who I am. Jamiroquai’s "Seven Days in Sunny June" is another song I love; it’s a mellow jam. The song also carries a bit of a bon vivant energy, which, if I’m honest, is something I can’t deny is a part of me too, especially during summer vacations. "Spooky" by Dusty Springfield is also a favorite. And if I had to pick another song that really feels like me, it would be "Don’t Save Me" by HAIM. I love how HAIM draws from classic rock but still feels modern and fresh.
Describe your “digital diet”
When it comes to media, I consume a lot, so let’s get the “breakfast” part out of the way first. Just like breakfast, staying informed is an essential part of my daily routine. It might not always be the most exciting meal, but it’s important and sets the tone for everything else. I make it a point not to be blasé about the news; I believe it’s crucial to stay grounded in what's happening in the world, even if it’s not always the "coolest" or most glamorous part of media consumption and of my everyday life. Every morning, I read a couple of articles from The Wall Street Journal to start my day. I also read The Business of Fashion regularly - this one I genuinely like reading - and go through McKinsey & Company reports weekly. Working with GenAI for a beauty-tech company, I find it important to stay on top of business-related and world news not just to keep up, but to constantly find ways to do my job better and more creatively. Now, onto the more fun parts of my digital diet. Mid-day, my media consumption shifts into a blend of taste and substance. I usually dive into Air Mail Weekly, which I love for its perfect balance of refined selections and thoughtful coverage of news and current events. I would love to take By Benchis to this next level of curating and taste and I think Air Mail is really a source of inspiration for me. Around that same time of the day, I'm definitely reading Vanity Fair to keep up with pop culture news because why not?
My mid-afternoon snack (lol) I'd say is The Paris Review or The New Yorker.
I read it occasionally, usually with a cappuccino or a matcha in hand; it’s a little moment of quiet indulgence in the middle of a busy day. For dinner - a very fun part of my digital diet - is where I let myself enjoy the more personal side of media. I adore reading through Substack newsletters; I truly rejoice in seeing what my friends are writing, thinking, how they are seeing the world around me, what they are loving, what are they hating, what they are shopping for, and the overall vibes (lol). I really treat Substack like Tumblr; a window to my friends' inner thoughts. Of course, I scroll on Instagram to find new brands and keep up with what my friends are doing. TikTok, I mostly go to either laugh or to get some really thought-provoking critical commentary about literally anything; there's no in between and it's quite funny. A little piece of chocolate after a meal, aka my dessert, is indulging in online reads from Interview Magazine, Family Style, and Cabana Magazine; all of which offer that perfect mix of creativity, aesthetic inspiration for either the home or my occasional rebrands every once in a while. I think my digital diet is pretty well-rounded lol, even if it's a bit all over the place.
If you had to choose your "big three" based on your favorite media, brands or products what would your Sun,Moon and Rising be?
Sun = I hate to be the person who says this, but a mix of Khaite and The Row definitely feels like a core part of my identity. I don't mean that in a pretentious way. I just naturally gravitate toward more formulaic outfits. I always say how much I love a great quality t-shirt paired with jeans, maybe throwing on a leather jacket and adding a little zhuzh here and there - maybe a leopard print, a unique detail, something subtle but impactful. I rely heavily on the basics, but I like to make them cool enough to feel like my own which, I think, captures the spirit of both of these brands and a lot of my personal style too.
Moon = I think if I were to move away from products and into media, my emotional self would be best reflected through the show Girls. I first watched it when I was fairly young - around eighteen - after just starting university in the States. At the time, it didn’t resonate with me deeply; I mostly just thought it was a fun watch. But when I rewatched it last year, I realized that part of me had always known why I loved it so much. Most of the conflicts in this show are very much resonant to the dialogues I often reserve to my inner self. While I find many of the characters’ annoying traits quite universal, I think the real reason it hits home is because the serious moments in the show are actually quite painful and incredibly resonant. Love life confusion in your late 20s, career uncertainty, friendship breakups, betrayal - it's all there, portrayed in often sugarcoated ways but sometimes viscerally and painful. The words in that show, when they are powerful, end up cutting so deep. This show, often times, is like I am having a weird dialogue with my inner self.
Rising = I’d say scent is something that sticks in people’s minds in such a unique way and are the perfect first impressions. If I had to pick a scent to present myself to the world, it would probably be something from Thomas Kosmala. I love how unique and unexpected their fragrances are. My signature is Brume Radieuse. I’d like to think that my first impression of people is not only that I smell good lol but to create some sort of mystery/intrigue? That I am not what people expect me to be and that I have many layers.
Let's start with Aperitivo:
What makes you feel chic?
Not thinking too much about myself.
What are your 2 favorite perfumes?
Brume Radieuse by Thomas Kosmala and Poesia by Inverso Profumi.
What’s your drink of choice?
Mezcal Margarita.
What is a free beauty tip you live by?
After a shower, never dry your face with a towel due to the friction. Better to let that water soak into the skin.
Moving on to Starters:
What are your favorite shower products? face, cleansers, body wash, scrubs etc.
My favorite cleanser, hands down, is Augustinus Bader’s Gel Cleansing Cream. I have incredibly sensitive and dry skin (the worst combination, lol), so when I find a cleanser that works, I stick with it for life. For body scrub/exfoliation, I’ve been using SIDIA’s Wired Body Exfoliant, which is phenomenal. I use it twice a week because, again...sensitive skin rules my life and I have to be careful not to over-exfoliate my skin. I’m also a soap girl as opposed to body wash. I have been loving the Flamingo Estate's Tomato Bar soap, it smells amazing. My staple soaps are always from Granado, one the oldest Brazilian apothecaries.
What’s your favorite appetizer?
Hillstone's spinach and artichoke dip.
What’s your favorite piece of content you’ve recently consumed?
I am such a tourist when it comes to Los Angeles and that whole scene, which initially made me reluctant to even pick up anything by Eve Babitz. She’s such a lover of L.A., a daughter of Hollywood - two things I didn't think I could see myself reading. But after reading almost all of her books, I became completely enamored with her writing and her life. Naturally, that led me to Joan Didion. And now, full circle, I’ve been reading Didion & Babitz by Lili Anolik, which is probably one of the most interesting books I’ve read this year.I loved how the writer is totally biased toward Eve - she adores her, and it’s so evident. Even if at times it feels petty or feud-ish, I tried not to see the book through that lens. Instead, it expanded my worldview of these women I once admired so deeply I tended to overlook their flaws, almost forgetting they had any. This book grounded me in that sense. I also appreciated getting a deeper understanding of their individual intricacies; their personal difficulties and complications that are often celebrated publicly as resilience but, behind closed doors, were deeply tumultuous and painful. I’m obviously the biggest fan of my friends. I really believe lifting each other up is the reason we’re all here. I love reading my friend Erika’s Substack, Long Live for the best vintage finds (she recently wrote a piece on vintage nightgowns that spoke to me so deeply). I also absolutely adore your Substack; your recent piece, Weapons of Mass Production Pt. II, is phenomenal. I’ve been sharing it with everyone I know. Tariro’s Trademarked is another favorite of mine; I’m genuinely thankful that she coined and created the EIGH and EHG universe/concept. Her piece on Quiet Luxury Milk was so ahead of the curve. And every week, I make time to read Viktoriia Vasileva’s Busy Corner; it’s truly insightful, and I love how she frames current culture.
What’s your favorite song? or song lyrics?
"This Must Be The Place" by Talking Heads - probably because it’s the kind of song that makes me cry, laugh, and dance all at the same time. It's an all-encompassing jam.
What’s the best compliment you’ve ever received?
'Cool' - which I find pretty hard to believe because I don't think I am.
Now for The Main Course
What are your favorite serums, body lotions etc.?
My favorite serum so far has been the Intense Replenishing Serum by Dr. Loretta, super duper hydrating, smooth, and velvety texture that feels like you've given your skin a glass of water. For face cream I alternate depending on my skin's needs. In the winter, I use Dr. Loretta's Anti-Aging Moisturizer; paired up with that serum is a match made in heaven that prevents dryness and dullness. In the summer, my fierce companion for moisturizer is Augustinus Bader's The Cream, I like how lightweight and glowy it makes my skin feel. I also alternate between that and the Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré, such a simple and cheap product and I love its unbeatable efficacy and results-driven skincare aspects. For my body, I have been using Tronque Firming Body Butter; so rich, creamy, and I noticed in 7-10 days an instant change in my skin's texture.
For hand lotion I have been using SIDIA's hand serum, which I love and carry with me during winter months literary everywhere. For haircare I switch between Crown Affair's shampoo or Roz's shampoo; I love both equally. For conditioner; I've been using and loving Davine's Nounou hair mask. Oh, and obviously my Le Prunier sunscreen!
One product you’ll repurchase over and over again?
Augustinus Bader's eye patches. They are a little luxury and such a treat especially after long-flights.
What's your most worn fashion piece?
All of my jeans. I love how versatile a pair of jeans can be. I dress it up or dress it down. I often joke to myself that if I were a piece of clothing I'd be a pair of jeans.
What’s your death row meal?
It's very Brazilian of me. Rice, black beans, fried plantains, shredded kale (Brazilian style), fried egg, and a piece of Picanha with an ice cold Coke Zero.
What’s in your bag?
Give us a fashion tip that helps you be a more chic conscious consumer.*
If I like an item, I usually let it sit in the back of my mind for a couple of days. Then, I revisit my closet with two golden rules in mind: do I already have something similar? and can I style this with what I currently own? Of course, this methodology requires nuance - I still take my genuine desire for the piece into account - but overall, it’s helped me avoid buying things that are too similar and kept my closet from feeling repetitive. I really believe being conscious of what you already own is so important. If something doesn't fit any of these categories, but I still want it and can't stop thinking about it for over a week - I just buy it. I trust my instinct, even though I tend to be very rational. As for beauty products, my rule is simple: I only buy replacements when I completely run out of whatever I currently own.
What’s a perspective you’ve had that has completely changed overtime?
I, now, understand the power of being connected to yourself. I spent so much of my early twenties disconnected from myself. My gut would try to tell me things, but I was too doubtful to listen. As I started to take better care of myself, mentally and spiritually, I realized how powerful we truly are. I hadn’t understood how much energy we can absorb from others until I learned to protect my own. Once I tapped into that awareness, my life completely changed. I stopped being a people-pleaser. I realized that other people’s fabricated miseries were not my responsibility. I developed a much more pragmatic approach to how I deal with others; I no longer wait for the bad apple to rot - I, now, recognize when something isn’t right from the start. I, also, began choosing myself. Choosing my mental health. Reserving my energy for the people who appreciate and celebrate me - not for those who subtly want to tear others down. The shift was profound. I feel deeply in tune with my body, my mind, and my surroundings. I started feeling genuine gratitude for the simplest things. Perspective really is everything.
What was your favorite item of clothing as a child?
I had a very adorable white, turtleneck crochet sweater with the face of a brown bear on it. My mom used to style it with a darker wash of flare jeans. I think I cried when I clearly - and physically - outgrew it.
And a final bite for Dessert
What are your favorite lip care products, candles - the things that act as the icing on the cake in your self care and beauty routine.
I’ll be honest: I take zero care of my lips, mostly because they’re perpetually dry - which is a real shame. That said, I do use Augustinus Bader’s Lip Balm daily (and I have their tinted one from the Sofia Coppola collaboration too, which I often use it as a blush when I am late somewhere lol). At night, I’ve been using ISAMAYA’s Hyalurolip, which is technically a volume-enhancing treatment - though, truthfully, I haven’t noticed any major plumping. What I have noticed is that when I use it overnight, I wake up with fully hydrated lips, which for me feels almost like seeing a mirage lol considering my lips are so dry. The icing on the cake of my self-care routine has to be my SBBC Ice Therapy Cryoball it's probably one of my favorite products. I keep it in the freezer because I like to use it when it's ice cold. Also, a small but meaningful detail, I love Biologique Recherche's L’Eau Oxygenante. I keep this tiny spray in the fridge, and sometimes in my bag, it’s perfect for a quick refresh, especially when I’m somewhere hot.
What is your favorite dessert or midnight snack?
Favorite dessert has to be my aunt Michelle's flan, it's truly unbeatable.
What’s your favorite thing on your nightstand?
My Gratitude Journal. It’s the first thing I reach for when I wake up, and the last thing I do before I go to bed. Every day, without fail. It’s such a small practice, but it has completely changed the way I move through the world. It keeps me grounded, clear, and grateful.
If you had to curate the guest list for the ultimate “Chic,Conscious Consumer” gathering, who are your three must-invites?
If I could put together a little dream gathering, I'd invite my friend Tariro (because she just gets it), Sofia Coppola and, honestly, Lisa Barlow, because she just seems like she'd bring pure chaotic fun to the gathering (like saying "I love it" to anyone at every single second lol).
What is a topic you wish someone would ask you about – a quirky interest or something you’re well versed in that you don’t get to talk about enough.
I'm a huge nerd - always down to dive deep into Star Wars and all the insane lore. Honestly, I could do a full sociological breakdown on every piece of it, but I usually hold back because I'm painfully aware I might be that annoying person and also Star Wars fans have the worst reputation (lol). I promise I am one of the cool ones!
What is the best advice you've ever received?
"Stop comparing yourself to others, you’ll only end up losing sight of who you are."
And there you have it Rachel’s Menu, plated and served.
If you’re still hungry for more, don’t just consume—connect. Follow Rachel, read her words, and let her palette sharpen your palate. Because in the “Chic, Conscious Consumer” kitchen , the best meals are shared.
Bon appétit, babes. 🍽️
Thanks for consuming!!
Phia
“Each Day Gets Better”
Sooo good, proud of you. Great work my girl
Phia 🫶🏻 ilysm!