Meet Chef Luis Martinez of Essentials by Chef Martinez in Westchase

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chef Luis Martinez.

Chef Luis, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Working in the restaurant business for many years, I always wanted the contact with the client, I was always at the table asking how is/was/or would like their experience. One day a customer/friend asked me to do a dinner at their home and that’s how I started everything, like an avalanche of word of mouth. I had to make my business cards, website, menus, etc… Because all the requests I was getting from other people.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Is not easy at all to start something. If anyone thinks it will be easy, he/she is very wrong. It is hard work.

I didn’t have a location, I was working at the restaurant still and doing the dinners on my free time, I started doing everything at people houses, shopping the same day because of the commercial kitchen. Finding good people who loves what I do, wasn’t easy.

It’s important to keep working as if it is the first day. With the same hunger of wanting to conquer the world.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Essentials by Chef Martinez story. Tell us more about the business.
We do private events chef services, catering services for weddings, corporate events, everything that has to do with celebrations. We specialize in South American, Italian and Spanish cuisine and we are known for our blend of those cuisine. We like to do it as fresh as possible, on site, where people see how is done, how fresh it is, that food comes out warm and just made, just chopped, just plated. We do the least preparation possible at our store. Certain things are pre-made because of time at the party.

We take each customer needs as personal. We love what we do and we do it because we love it. Before cooking/food, are our customers, we understand how important is the quality of food, but it is as important as care in the way we do it and serve our customers. They are not customers, they become family after we meet them and serve them.
We are proud of our team, they care and love what they do. They understand our vision and mission.

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I don’t believe in luck. We create luck with hard work and care on what we do.

Contact Info:

• Address: 2901 Wilcrest Dr. Suite 137 (CNPC Building)
• Website: www.chefmartinez.com
• Phone: 732-309-1465/832-409-3340
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: essentials by chef martinez
• Facebook: Essentials by Chef Martinez
• Twitter: @chefluismartinez.com
• Yelp: Essentials Cafe