Chef Chito embarked on his culinary journey at the age of 14, igniting his passion for the
culinary arts within the walls of his parents’ Jose and Olivia’s restaurant in Akron, Iowa.
Throughout high school years, he collaborated closely with his father, who ran Akron Jo’s Cafe, a beloved establishment known for serving iconic American classics during breakfast, lunch, and dinner. From crafting delectable French toast and fluffy omelettes to perfecting pasta dishes, burgers, steaks, and even our house-made pies, our culinary repertoire knew no bounds. We also ventured into catering, bringing our culinary delights to various events.
culinary arts within the walls of his parents’ Jose and Olivia’s restaurant in Akron, Iowa.
Throughout high school years, he collaborated closely with his father, who ran Akron Jo’s Cafe, a beloved establishment known for serving iconic American classics during breakfast, lunch, and dinner. From crafting delectable French toast and fluffy omelettes to perfecting pasta dishes, burgers, steaks, and even our house-made pies, our culinary repertoire knew no bounds. We also ventured into catering, bringing our culinary delights to various events.
His dedication to the culinary craft led him to pursue formal education in culinary arts and hotel management at Iowa Western Community College. Upon graduating, he embarked on a remarkable journey in the world of sports and entertainment catering. joining Quest Center in Omaha during college years, and for the next 12 years had the privilege of working at over 50 different properties, including those in the NHL, NFL, NBA, NCAA, NASCAR, MLS, MLB, PGA, London Olympics, Grammy Awards, Kentucky Derby, US Open, and NBA & MLB All-Star. The biggest sporting event of HIS career was the 2022 Super Bowl LVI in Miami, FL and 2017 World Series Baseball as a guest Chef. Fortunately, his various roles often placed him in VIP areas, granting the opportunity to interact with sports icons and television celebrities.
In 2014, a unique opportunity arose when he was invited to Gabon, a West African country, to serve as the personal chef for the President of Gabon and the First Family. This experience came with a plethora of privileges, including accompanying the family on presidential trips and assuming the role of host chef for visiting foreign dignitaries. During our two-plus years in Gabon, proudly introduced West Africa to authentic Mexican cuisine, offering a menu that featured tamales, adobos, mole, and other 100% authentic Mexican recipes, eschewing Tex-Mex imitations. Our efforts were acknowledged by SOYCHEF magazine in Mexico, which recognized Chef Chito as the pioneer of Mexican cuisine in Africa.
Chef Chito takes immense pride in representing his culture and sharing the richness of Mexican cuisine with the people of Gabon and beyond. This journey not only expanded his culinary horizons but also allowed him to create lasting memories and connections on an international stage.
Chef Chito has appeared in many TV Spotlights. NBC, CBS, ABC, YAHOO NEWS, CNN as
well as magazines. Hosting a Denver local cooking channel The Modern Eater, and being named Colorado’s top 10 chefs in 2018 and 2019 by the Colorado Restaurant Association.
