Chef Spotlight: Ricardo Martinez Trinidad-Corporate Chef of LA CERVECERIA DE BARRIO in Miami

Ricardo Martinez Trinidad was born on February 7, 1973, in a town called Textla in the state of Puebla, Mexico. He's married and has 3 children. The second oldest of seven brothers, Martinez lived and grew up with his parents who always instilled in him fine principles and values that include honesty, sensitivity, gratitude, humility, prudence, respect and responsibility.

In school, Martinez studied computing, English and gastronomy, with a focus on Mexican, Japanese, French and Peruvian cuisines. To reinforce his studies, he took courses on personal improvement, leadership, food safety, and the preparation of food, among other things. He's currently studying to obtain a higher academic degree.

When he was 18 years old, Martinez moved to Mexico City to pursue work opportunities. His first job there was at a meat distributor called San Ramón that specializes in the quality of American beef and cuts. In 1994, Martinez applied for a job at the Corporativo de la Tablita and was successfully accepted. Through hard work and dedication, he soon became chef and expert on the topic of American cuts. In 2006, he had the opportunity to become chef at La Cervecería de Barrio when it first opened in Mexico City. Within the first year, Martinez implemented new dishes to enrich and improve their food menu. As the brand expanded and opened new locations throughout Mexico, he grew with the company and by 2015 he became Corporate Chef of La Cerveceria de Barrio. In 2018, the brand took a very important step and created a restaurant called Cerveceria Polanquito located in Polanco in Mexico City. Martinez worked with the restaurant's executive chefs to create a food menu, which today is very successful. La Cerveceria de Barrio is opening its first location in the United States in Miami on Lincoln Road, where Martinez will lead the culinary team.

Broadwayworld.com interviewed Chef Martinez about his career and La Cerveceria de Barrio for our "Chef Spotlight."

What was your earliest interest in cooking?

I took interest in cooking Mexican food the moment I saw my mother and grandmother cook. I learned to transform raw materials, to enjoy the flavors and smells in different dishes. Since I was young, interest in the preparation of food has given me a special fondness for Mexican cuisine.

Who were some of your career mentors?

My first mentors were my mother and paternal grandmother. Over the years, the talented chefs I saw on Television shows and in magazines also inspired me.

What culinary styles have influenced your career?

Pre-Columbian cuisine is one of my gastronomic pillars. The Otomi cooking techniques were the ones I learned to cook with and the ones I enjoy using the most in the kitchen. In the same way, the French flavors and cooking techniques, the colors of the Peruvian food and the aromas of the Asian cuisine are all an inspiration to me when preparing or innovating with any ingredient that comes to my hands.

What do you consider the most distinguishing features of your work as a chef?

I like to cook with fresh and regional ingredients because I consider them to be of very good quality and it is the way in which I also contribute to the gastronomic and economic growth in my country. When I create a dish, I seek first to highlight the flavors so that people enjoy the taste of Mexico in my dishes and make traditional presentations for people to enjoy a unique culinary experience.

What is your favorite meal?

Definitely Mexican food. I really enjoy marinated wild and natural meats, and a fresh catch of the day. Oysters from Baja California are also my favorite.

Tell me a little bit about your restaurant for our readers.

Our restaurant model is that all people can visit us and enjoy our menu prepared with fresh fish and seafood of very good quality, prepared by trained personnel using cutting-edge equipment. During the day, La Cerveceria de Barrio is a family restaurant where you can share great experiences. In the late afternoon and evening, it is a place where you can have a good time in the company of friends.

Find out more about La Cerveceria de Barrio located at 1370 Washington Avenue, Suite 307, Miami Beach, Florida 33139. Call them at 305.604.9060 and visit http://www.lacerveceriadebarrio.com/us/landing/.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Ricardo Martinez Trinidad

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