Biography
Chef Jose Martinez has been in the restaurant business since 2000. Originally from Tijuana, Baja California he is drawn to seafood and loves to create menus that modernize the classical by allowing himself to evolve and adapt through fusion cuisine. Chef Jose has been in Residential campus dining for over 6 years, prior to that he has been in fine dining and private catering through Washington and California.
Jose believes in menu engineering by the utilization of fresh local sustainable produce, market trends and customer demand. His vision is to enhance the Cal Dining experience, create a local culinary trend by utilization of fresh ingredients with a fusion approach to please the college crowd. Menu engineering will promote a trip around the world in the resident halls and emphasize the complementation of dishes to create a unique dining experience. Plans to create a progression in the Residential culinary program with training and development of the staff, menu/recipe engineering and overall active listening to approach and solve opportunities. Chef Jose is excited to join the Cal Dining team, start a new page in his career and start marinating the culinary experience in people’s lives.
- Favorite food: Shrimp and Scallop Baja style burrito with chipotle aioli, cilantro/lime rice, fresh pinto beans and jicama slaw.
- Fun Fact: Catered private events with Naked Sushi.