Aarón Sánchez

Aarón Sánchez is the chef/owner of Mestizo in Leawood, Kansas, and in 2014 will open Paloma in Stamford, CT, Alegre in New York, NY, and Johnny Sánchez alongside friend and colleague Chef John Besh in Baltimore, Maryland and New Orleans, LA. Aarón is the co-star of Food Network’s hit series, Chopped, as well as the star of FOX Life’s #1 rated series Aarón Loves NY and the travel-food series MOTOCHEFS. He is also the culinary visionary behind Crossroads at House of Blues nationwide. The son of celebrated Mexican cooking authority Zarela Martinez, Aarón’s passion, commitment and skills have placed him among the country’s leading contemporary Latin chefs.

Celebrated by critics and contemporaries alike, Aarón recently appeared at the White House as a guest chef and received the “National Award” at the Flavors of Passion Awards, honoring the nation’s best Latin chefs. He has also starred on multiple Food Network shows including: Chopped, Heat Seekers, Chefs vs. City, Best Thing I Ever Ate and Next Iron Chef. In 2011, he appeared on the debut season of The Best Thing I Ever Made, where Food Network stars share their culinary secrets.

In addition to being a restaurateur, television personality, consultant and spokesperson, Aarón is an author and entrepreneur. His first book, La Comida del Barrio, was published in May 2003. His second book, Simple Food, Big Flavor: Unforgettable Mexican-Inspired Recipes from My Kitchen to Yours, was released in October 2011. Aarón also designed a line of cookware products in collaboration with IMUSA and is a spokesperson for their “Global Kitchen” line. He is also a Chef Ambassador for “Why Hunger,” a leader in building the movement to end hunger and poverty.

Aarón’s creativity extends far beyond the kitchen. He is a partner at Daredevil Tattoo in NYC and is an avid music lover; he enjoys cooking to the sounds of Alabama Shakes, Amos Lee, Sade, and TheCure. Aarón lives in Brooklyn, New York.

Additional career highlights include:

2000: Aarón is introduced to a national audience as co-host of Food Network’s Melting Pot.

2001: Paladar, Sánchez’s first restaurant, opens in New York City’s Lower East Side. Sánchez is just 25 years of age. Paladar wins the 2001 Time Out New York award for Best New Lower East Side Restaurant.

2002: Aarón’s Paladar (NYC) named Time Out New York’s Best Latin American Restaurant.

2004: Opens Centrico with renowned restaurateur Drew Nieporent of the Myriad Restaurant Group (Nobu, Tribeca Grill, Corton). Centrico’s menu goes back to Sánchez’s roots and features the Mexican food of his childhood with a fresh interpretation.

2005: Nominated as the “Rising Star Chef of the Year” by the James Beard Foundation.

Named one of People Magazine and People En Espanol’s 50 Most Beautiful People.

2008: Aarón co-stars on Food Network’s Chef vs. City.

2009: Food Network’s Chopped premieres and becomes an instant hit.

2010: Aarón opens Mestizo in Kansas, his first restaurant outside of NYC. Aarón joins forces with House of Blues to create Crossroads at House of Blues.

2011: Aarón’s first Spanish-language cooking series premieres on Utilisima.

2012: Aarón launches his line of home products at stores like T.J. Maxx, Marshall’s and HomeGoods.

2013: Aarón’s Spanish-language food-travel series MOTOCHEFS premieres. Aarón launches his line of prepared foods in collaboration with Del Real Foods at BJ’s Wholesale Clubs.