14 Facts About Aaron Sanchez

1. Aaron Sanchez was born on February 12, 1976 and is a Mexican celebrity chef, restaurateur, television personality, cookbook author and philanthropist.

2. Aaron Sanchez is the executive chef and part-owner of the Mexican restaurant Johnny Sanchez in New Orleans.

3. Aaron Sanchez co-starred on Food Network's hit series Chopped and Chopped Jr.

4. Aaron Sanchez was a contestant on The Next Iron Chef.

5. Aaron Sanchez began cooking at an early age, helping his mother prepare traditional Mexican foods for her catering business.

6. In 1984, the family moved to New York, and his mother launched the acclaimed Cafe Marimba, and Aaron Sanchez began to cook in a professional kitchen.

7. In 1994, Aaron Sanchez graduated from Dwight School, and began to work full-time for Prudhomme in New Orleans.

8. Aaron Sanchez was married to singer Ife Mora from 2009 until 2012.

9. Aaron Sanchez met his future business partner, Alex Garcia while working there.

10. Aaron Sanchez sold his interest in the Paladar restaurant in 2010.

11. Aaron Sanchez went on to become chef of Mexican New York eatery Centrico, which closed in 2012.

12. Aaron Sanchez opened the restaurant Johnny Sanchez in Baltimore with fellow chef John Besh in August 2014.

13. Aaron Sanchez is an expert in many cooking techniques and global cuisines, but his specialty of cooking traditional Mexican cuisine is often used throughout the season.

14. Aaron Sanchez released a memoir, Where I Come From: Life Lessons From a Latino Chef, on October 1, 2019.