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In his mid-twenties, Aaron Sanchez has already surpassed the expectations created by his lineage. The son of celebrated Mexican cooking authority Zarela Martinez, Aaron's passion, commitment and skill have earned him a spot among the country's leading contemporary Latin chefs. On Food Network's Melting Pot, Aaron brings his Latin heritage, training and imagination to bear in a range of evocative Cuban-inspired dishes made from classic ingredients.
Born in El Paso, Texas, in 1973, Aaron recalls vivid memories of helping his mother cook traditional Mexican foods for a thriving catering business she operated. By 1984, the family had moved to New York and Zarela launched the acclaimed Café Marimba. It was here that 11-year-old Aaron began to get his first taste of professional kitchen life, convincing his mother to let him assist the cooks in the pantry.
By his 16th birthday, Aaron's burgeoning interest in cooking led him to secure a weeklong stagiere with master chef Paul Prudhomme in New Orleans. Upon graduating from high school in 1992, Aaron returned to work full time for Prudhomme.
One year later, Aaron decided to round out his skills with a culinary degree at Johnson and Wales in Providence, Rhode Island. He returned to New York in 1994 to work with chef Douglas Rodriguez at Patria. Working alongside Rodriguez and chef Alex Garcia, Aaron quickly mastered each station in the kitchen. In March 1996, Patria earned a three-star New York Times review--further convincing Aaron that traditional Latin ingredients and preparation were at the heart of a bold new culinary movement.
In 1996, Aaron left Patria to become sous-chef under Garcia at Erizo Latino. Though the two men earned critical praise for the new venture, Aaron decided to explore San Francisco's restaurant scene, where he worked with chef Reed Hearon at Rose Pistola. After a year, he returned to New York to accept the executive chef's position at the casual restaurant, L-Ray.
Though Aaron garnered a glowing one-star New York Times review, he left for a stint as executive chef at Isla restaurant. He has recently opened a new restaurant in Manhattan, Paladar, featuring Caribbean, Central, and South American cuisine. And as co-host of Melting Pot, Aaron is able to share his knowledge of and passion for Latin ingredients and cuisine with thousands of viewers every week.
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