Experience: Ximena N. Beltran Quan Kiu has written more than 125 articles on the topics of entrepreneurship, Chicago, and Mexican identity/culture. "They definitely portrayed his passion, his love for family, country and fellow contestants," said Travis Masar, a "Top Chef" Season 11 competitor who roomed with Gaytan. Gaytn later moved on to the private Union League Club of Chicago, and then Bistrot Margot, where chef Dominique Tougne taught him French technique. Gaytan didn't blame the separation from his wife for the shutter, but did make it clear that. Running a restaurant requires a devotion most outside the industry can't comprehend. The initial burst of goodwill faded as newer restaurants garnered buzz. The second best result is Carlos Ortiz Gaytan age 70s in Clovis, CA. In 2008 he opened Mexique, a Mexican restaurant in Chicago where he experienced for the first time the joy of receiving the award for high-quality cooking, worth a stop. Gaytn got the distinction back to back in 2013 and 2014. Required fields are marked *. Church members chipped in to help the restaurant repay its $17,000 in back taxes. Like any team leader, Gaytan ensures that his team members have what they need to succeed. Tzuco, which opened in September 2019, is no longer the hidden gem tucked away in the far reaches of the city. He has that balance part figured out pretty well. A Taste of Mexique with Chef Carlos Gaytan - SLUG Magazine Two days later, Gaytan says, he received two American Express cards with a credit limit of exactly the amount they needed to continue. He gets recognized not because of his restaurant but because he appeared on a reality cooking competition. When Chef Carlos Gaytan closed Mexique last summer, he decided it was time to get back to his roots. I'm the chef owner of Tzuco and one of my. Mexique's Carlos Gaytan on life after 'Top Chef' - Chicago Tribune Copyright 2023 WLS-TV. Gaytan looks through and confirms the list of ingredients he needs to purchase for the restaurant before it opens. Want to See Taylor Swift in Concert? Please check your user ID. Hispanic Executive is a registered trademark of Guerrero LLC. "I sat back in awe and knew whose hand was on this.". The 43-year-old Gaytan competed on the most recent season of Bravo TV's "Top Chef," a show responsible for bold-faced Chicago names like Stephanie Izard and Dale Levitski. A Day in the Life of Carlos Gaytan - Hispanic Executive After a long talk with his family, he decided to go to Mexico and stay there for a long time and, while traveling, he also spent time at Ha, his resort restaurant in Riviera Maya that just received five diamonds from AAA. In November 2012, Michelin released its list of "Bib Gourmands" for the 2013 guidebook. I spent a whole year in Mexico even after living there for 20 years, I still didnt know enough to understand my culture,Gaytan says. ", "This is a country I came to do good," he said. Peeling the Styrofoam away from the cake, it was then plated with a sweet cream spiked with tequila.