Private Chef Benecio Marquez

I started cooking in Highschool when I was living with my grandmother Eloisa. She's originally from Texas and her mother immigrated from Mexico. She is the leading force in my Hispanic endeavors. Roasted veg for sauce making, using lesser-known cuts of meat to infuse more flavor, and cooking with lard are just a few of the traditions I feel the need to maintain and pass down to future cooks. After moving back to the city I fell in love with the international markets and cultural diversity we have here in Chicago.

For me, cooking is...

Every day we eat. Every day is a new opportunity to create something remarkable that will transcend the day from typical to outstanding. Starting here

I learned to cook at...

Spending time in the kitchen was the best way for me to practice my technique and nail down the flavors of different cultures.

A cooking secret...

Love. Although it's straightforward, it's the truth. Providing a nicely set stage for our ingredients posing as actors, being attentive and nurturing.