Chef Spotlight: Executive Chef Juan Carlos Ortega of BLUE FIN in Times Square

Juan Carlos Ortega is currently the Executive Chef of Blue Fin, located in the flagship W Hotel in Times Square. A native of Ecuador, Juan Carlos Ortega moved to New York City in 1995. He started his career as a line-cook for small restaurants throughout the city and landed his first job with BR Guest Hospitality as a line-cook for Blue Water Grill in 1998. Ortega's indisputable talent for innovative cooking, indefatigable enthusiasm, impeccable work ethic and professionalism impressed both his co-workers and those above him; after rigorous training, he was promoted to Sous Chef and Executive Sous Chef, respectively, at Blue Water Grill. In 2010, he was entrusted with the opening of Atlantic Grill Lincoln Center and in 2014, he accepted the position of Executive Chef at Blue Fin. When not hard at work, Chef Juan Carlos can be found concocting scrumptious salads, his son's favorite food, running races for charity or traveling the world and sampling its many cuisines with his wife and son.

Chef Juan Carlos Ortega is in our "Chef Spotlight."

What was your earliest interest in cooking?

At just 8 years old, I was cooking in the kitchen with my grandmother and my mother. I always looked forward to the holidays and enjoyed my time spent cooking meals with them. I moved to New York City when I was 17 and was amazed by the city's food scene, it inspired me to find a job in a restaurant and since then it has been a fantastic journey!

Who were some of your career mentors?

I have always looked up to my mom's strength in life. I have also been very lucky to work with some great chefs within BR Guest Hospitality Group who have helped me become the chef that I am now.

What culinary styles have influenced your career?

Being Latino and married to a Greek wife, along with my travels and life in NYC, I have had the chance to experience a lot of diverse styles which have greatly influenced the food that we create here at Blue Fin.

What do you consider the most distinguishing features of your work as a chef? You can mention how your personal culinary approach is unique or a few signature dishes.

I would say my use of the best possible products, highlighting freshness and quality.

What is your favorite meal?

I really enjoy meals with my family. The perfect meal for me is any chance I get to combine Greek food and my mom's Shrimp Ceviche.

Tell us a little about Blue Fin for the readers.

Blue Fin is a restaurant that can be misleading to a passerby because of its location. Our focus on having the best and freshest products sets us apart from most restaurants in the neighborhood. Once you walk through our doors, you'll forget that you're in Times Square. We have a great selection of oysters and a fantastic sushi bar along with fish brought in daily from our own buyer.

Blue Fin is located at 1567 Broadway. Call them at 212.918.1400 or visit their web site at http://www.bluefinnyc.com/.

Editor's Note: We recently had the pleasure of visiting Blue Fin for dinner. Stay tuned to Broadwayworld.com for a feature article about the restaurant.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Juan Carlos Ortega

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