Today we’d like to introduce you to Chef Machete.
Hi Chef, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Chef Trinidad “Machete” Gonzalez grew up around cooking in Galveston, learning from his mother in the kitchen and his father cooking outside. He later worked in California restaurants, where he became especially interested in Asian cuisine, presentation, and plating. But cooking wasn’t initially his full-time career. He went into the maritime industry and spent years working at sea, including as a cook feeding entire crews aboard vessels in the Gulf.
The turning point was family. Spending weeks or months away at sea became harder, especially when his son didn’t want him leaving again. Gonzalez eventually walked away from the security of his maritime career to bet on himself. While still sailing, he had already been selling tacos during his time off; after leaving, he went all-in.
And the beginning was about as grassroots as it gets: $1 tacos outside his father’s mechanic shop. He built Gordo Niños through street vending and pop-ups around Houston, Galveston, Austin and Kemah, developing a following before eventually establishing a permanent restaurant location.
Along the way, he developed the purple Lean Sauce™, which became one of the signatures of his brand, and his cooking evolved into the Houston/Mexican fusion style he calls “Hou-Mex.” Gordo Niños became known for over-the-top tacos, burritos and creations that mixed Mexican street-food roots with Houston culture and influences from other cuisines.
Where Chef Machete is now
The jump from selling tacos outside a mechanic shop has turned into a legitimate culinary and media career. In 2026, Chef Machete competed as a professional chef on Season 5 of Gordon Ramsay’s Next Level Chef, bringing the Chef Machete/Gordo Niños brand to a national television audience.
He remains the chef and entrepreneur behind Gordo Niños, while expanding beyond the restaurant through catering, culinary events, food products, competitions and media appearances. Houston media now describes him as a self-taught culinary personality who took the leap from working offshore to becoming one of the city’s recognizable food personalities.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
To be honest, it’s been a f*cking ride!
The glam came with a lot of blood, sweat, and tears!
Maxing out credit cards is the beginning, COVID shut down my street cart operations, having to sell my 2nd location, nearly losing everything.
But God continued to bless me.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m Chef Trinidad “Machete” Gonzalez, a chef, restaurateur, and entrepreneur specializing in Hou-Mex cuisine—a mix of Houston culture, Mexican roots, Asian influence, and my own style. I’m known for Gordo Niños, my signature purple Lean Sauce™, bold street food, and competing on Next Level Chef. What I’m most proud of is building all of this from the ground up, starting with $1 tacos outside my dad’s mechanic shop. What sets me apart is that I never tried to fit the traditional chef mold—I built my own lane, stayed true to who I am, and turned my personality, culture, and creativity into a brand people remember.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
Big special thanks to my Parents for making legend!
Shout out to my son for making me believe in myself!
Thank you to my staff for your hardworking and dedication for the brand!
Shout out to the NLC team!
Lastly,
I want to thank me. I want to thank me for believing in Machete before everybody knew who Machete was. I want to thank me for taking the losses, betting on myself, and still waking up thinking I’m the greatest thing cooking. A lot of people helped me get here—but I’m not gonna lie, I’m real proud of me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Chefmachete.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realchefmachete?igsh=bnZmaG0yM3RlNWhh&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1LA1XYc7MF/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@realchefmachete?si=iNjTCgPmpJAD91QB
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@realchefmachete?_r=1&_t=ZP-98tiPXOJYpq
