CLASSES
Chef at The Chopping Block since: 2019
Favorite class to teach: Steakhouse DIY
Training/education: The Cooking And Hospitality Institute of Chicago
Cooking since: Professionally since 1998 but my grandma started teaching me at the age of 8
Favorite childhood food experience:Watching my grandma cook
What made you want to become a chef? I just really love food!
What is your signature dish? Pozole Verde
What are the 5 ingredients you can't live without? Salt, sugar, oil, butter, flour
What do you love about cooking? The eating part!
When you're creating a new recipe, what influences and inspires you? Whatever I'm in the mood to eat
What advice would you give a new cook? Read, read, read.
What are you doing when you're not cooking? Watching camping videos or playing video games
Describe your perfect evening. Relaxing after a hike besides a campfire with a nice meal and a great view with my wife.
If you had friends in from out of town, where would you take them to eat? Carnitas Uruapan in Pilsen
Where are you from? Dallas, Texas
What was your favorite vacation? Orlando with my wife
What are your hobbies? Video games, hiking, camping
What is your favorite band? At The Drive In
What is your favorite sports team? Da Bears!
If you could have dinner with one person, who would it be? Bruce Lee
What are your guilty pleasures? White Castle Burgers
Who is your favorite celebrity chef? Martin Yen
What 5 tools should every new cook have in the kitchen? Santoku knife, cast iron pan, wet stone, cutting board, big pot
What resources would you suggest for Chopping Block clients? The Food Lover's Companion
List three of your favorite tips or techniques you use in the kitchen.
1. Play some music that hypes you up.
2. Taste everything.
3. Have fun while you're cooking or else it's just work.
