The 12-seat dining room has its own kitchen. Gaytn recalls a conversation he had with his daughter, Caliani, when he was deciding to close Mexique and return to Mexico. It was less about the jumbled words than the spirited cacophony created. That word disappears for you.". Mexique opened in May 2008. Tzuco is the main restaurant, but when the full opening is complete, it will also have a 16-seat . It makes it so special because many kids are watching what you do. Complete Wiki Biography of Carlos Gaytan, which contains net worth and salary earnings in 2023. By night's end, they had raised $21,000 for the church Mexique built. "It's an honor just to be here in Chicago and share everything that I know with people. Subscribe to RR1 Live+ for exclusive virtual events all year long (at least 1 per month), conversations with Robb Report editors, special perks, and more. Standing in the back row, Gaytan bowed his head and raised his arms in praise. Gaytan learned to cook, too, and that position led him to an 8-year-stint at the Union League Club in the Loop, then as chef de cuisine at Bistrot Margot in 2004. Please check your user ID. It put me on the map," Gaytn said of his first restaurant the one he earned a Michelin star for. In one corner of the converted living room, Gaytan's wife, Iliamar, preached in English; 10 feet away a teenage girl translated into Swahili. He'd be up in the morning before we'd wake up and make us coffee and breakfast. That kept their doors open, but business was still fading. A miracle is a coincidence you know can't be a coincidence. After a decade of world-class accoladesincluding a Michelin star two years in a row, the first ever awarded to a Mexican-born chefit seemed like Gaytn was throwing his hands up and moving home. Copyright 2023 WLS-TV. (Tzuco is a shortened version of his hometowns name) and life of travels. Gaytan charges up with French press coffee before heading to his restaurant Tzuco, located in Chicagos Gold Coast neighborhood. Its dinner theater. A post shared by Carlos Gaytan (@chefcarlosgaytan), Mexique began in my home. In a medium bowl, stir together 1/4 cup ranch dressing and lime juice. But he longed for the food of his youth. Carlos Gaytn knew critical success at his former West Town restaurant Mexique, where in 2013 he became the first Mexico-born chef to earn a Michelin star. Heading up the beverage program is Mica Rousseau, named Mexico's 2016 finest mixologist in the World Class competition, which brings the best talent in the world to compete. See Photos. The seats . Gaytn later moved on to the private Union League Club of Chicago, and then Bistrot Margot, where chef Dominique Tougne taught him French technique. Youtuber Caleb Hyles' Biography: Age, Wife, Net Wo Joanna Pacua - Who actually is she? But the Gaytans were unprepared for the process. Includes access to the digital magazine. Thank you for signing up for email updates. Now it's been exposed tenfold to an audience of Bravo viewers who aren't necessarily dining obsessives but will visit Chicago and have Girl & The Goat and Mexique on their itinerary before Alinea. "What they don't see is I'm supporting 20-plus families at my restaurant. Construction dragged, and unforeseen expenses popped up. The day of the phone call, his restaurant drew 11 customers. But, you like a challenge. "If not, give us a sign." Guests can expect a variety of seafood shrimp, clams, octopus, and salmon chicken, pork, tortilla, and lentils flavored with spices and chile. She did an amazing, amazing job," Gaytan said. Experience: Ximena N. Beltran Quan Kiu has written more than 125 articles on the topics of entrepreneurship, Chicago, and Mexican identity/culture. Juju Salimeni Wiki, age, height, salary, husband F. Where is Tequan Richmond now? Pastor Isaac said: "Pray." He asked his father-in-law for advice. Not anymore," Gaytan said. The initial burst of goodwill faded as newer restaurants garnered buzz. (Gaytan became a U.S. citizen in 1998 after his marriage.). Its like a one-man play, with food. La Casa de Dios. In 2008, he opened his first restaurant, Mexique, which served Mexican dishes prepared with French precision, a unique style that hadnt been done in the U.S. before. The business suffered. After a decade of world-class accoladesincluding a Michelin. Iliamar then explained their situation to a city official. We are asking God to open the door." Throughout the restaurants prep period, he can be seen sharpening knives, sweeping floors, and (as seen here) organizing the kitchens many trays of food to ensure an efficient workflow. It was exactly 30 years ago that a young aspiring chef from Mexico came to Chicago with nothing but a backpack and a dream. However, in 2018, a decade after opening, he announced Mexiques closure. After this latest "miracle," Gaytan acknowledged the time has arrived to show his gratitude. Construction dragged, and unforeseen expenses popped up. I'm the chef owner of Tzuco and one of my. The nondemoninational Christian church and youth center is housed in a converted home on North Troy Street that was donated by Iliamar's mother, Iris. They agreed. As soon as you open a place it's going to be packed and you're going to be successful. After a decade of world-class accoladesincluding a Michelin. There, he went on to become the first Mexican Chef to receive a Michelin star in 2013 and 2014.Today, Chef Carlos Gaytn wants to present the best of Mexico through his own vision, as infused with the French haute cuisine techniques he acquired during his practice.Tzucofrom Huitzucois a new restaurant located in The Gold Coast of Chicago. Mexican-born Carlos Gaytan moved his way up from the back of the kitchen to Michelin Star chef and owner of the world-renowned Tzuco in Chicago. Church members chipped in to help the restaurant repay its $17,000 in back taxes. Instead, diners found themselves with options such as mahi pozole verde, pea tamal, and escolar in a spicy romesco sauce topped with a poached egg. Gaytan scoops out a spicy filling of fish, tomato, onion, garlic, and thyme, which is stuffed between two squid ink tortillas as a pescadilla.. Net worth, Wife, Age. I cook with the memories of my childhood, but I try to bring them into modernity. 1500 W Carroll Suite 200Chicago, IL 60607, Our site uses cookies. Pages of red ink in the restaurant ledger soon turned black. There are some traditional items, though usually with a new twist; for example, guacamole is topped with dried aged Huitzuco cheeseto give it an extra tangy flavor. The menu is entirely shareable plates, broken into different sizes. La Casa de Dios The House of God is a family affair. But since November 2012, the wild, sudden swing from near foreclosure to overflowing reservation books, he believes, is more than just good fortune. The design of Tzuco feels like dining inside of a lush natural history museum; artifacts and natural objects fill glass cases hanging from the wall. In 2018, chef Carlos Gaytn abruptly closed his trailblazing Mexican fine dining restaurant, Mexique, in Chicago and left the country. I didn't come here to do damage, I came here to serve." inside the Hotel Xcaret Mexico in Playa del Carmen. Then came what Gaytan called miracles, a series of unexpected occurrences he could attribute only to divine intervention. Gaytan was born in a small town near Acapulco called Huitzuco, which he incorporated into the restaurant name. "But they're going to find tortillas, they're going to find really interesting cuisine.". See Photos. "When your faith is so strong, there's not a chance to believe in that. Tales of Carlos. With Iliamar's background as an architect in restaurant design, they expected a smooth going. In the kitchen, it was his mom that inspired Gaytan to think outside of the box. Carlos Gaytn was born in Huitzuco, a small town in Guerrero, Mexico in 1970. Once they closed on purchasing the Chicago Avenue property, the Gaytans planned to construct and open Mexique within four months. So Gaytan and his father hunted deer, wild turkeys and iguanas while his mother foraged from nearby fields. "My father used to take me hunting and it was for meat most of the time. After all of his travels, and eating regional dishes from all over the country, Gaytan is back and has just opened Tzuco, which serves his signature combination of French-inspired techniques and Mexican flavors, in Near North. They would let their business and liquor license lapse after it expired Friday. Wiki Bio of Carlos Gaytan net worth is updated in 2023. That was Gaytan's life for his foreseeable future. For a while, he says, they ate mostly spaghetti and bottled sauce for dinner. "I obviously had a dream, but I didn't know it was going to be real, this is even beyond my dreams," said Carlos Gaytan. Its been very difficult to educate consumers. ", Said Louis Maldonado, another "Top Chef" colleague: "His beliefs, morals, family and church that really shined through. The same week Gaytn announced the close of Mexique, and left for Mexico, he promised to come back to Chicago. Gaytan, however, has had blessed timing: The year before appearing on "Top Chef" was his restaurant's best year, much of that owed to Michelin's validation. Located in the up-and-coming West Town neighborhood before it was neither up nor coming, the restaurant struggled. La Casa de Dios The House of God is a family affair. Tom Ford. The prospects for a young, working-class Mexican man were dim, so like many friends, Gaytan says, he allowed that seductive phrase to enter his mind: el sueno Americano. All Rights Reserved. August 9, 2021, 12:43 PM (SOUNDBITE) (English) CARLOS GAYTAN, FIRST MEXICAN CHEF TO EARN A MICHELIN STAR, SAYING: "Hi, my name is Carlos Gaytn. "He was that father figure. Upscale Mexican food is no longer an anomaly. He had a vision, and they could see it, too. Shortly after, she joined Biden's presidency campaign as deputy director of Latino/Spanish media. "I don't believe in coincidences. Iliamar is director of its youth music ministry. Tzuco is open for dinner now and will open for lunch and brunch in coming weeks. Pork and beef from the market were for the privileged. The best result we found for your search is Carlos J Gaytan age -- in Hawthorne, CA in the East Hawthorne neighborhood. He taught Gaytan to carve fruits and vegetables into extravagant centerpieces. That concept is fairly massive. Most of the chef-contestants quickly recede back into anonymity. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. It will be very intimate.. Then word spread, and every day for the next week the house was packed. Main content starts here, tab to start navigating. Then word spread, and every day for the next week the house was packed. , a colorful, grab-and-go panaderia or bakery. This one is very small, so its going to be detailed and execution is going to be more precise than everything else,, Tales is what the evolution of the chefs counter looks like. Hispanic Executive is a registered trademark of Guerrero LLC. Seared duck breast and duck leg confit will be paired with foie gras and mole poblano and served tetela-style, stuffed in a tortilla. Soon they burned through the bank loan, and Iliamar's mother began supporting the Gaytans via her home day care. He is from USA. The accolade turned his business around and sparked an immediate rise in reservations. Holidays, weekends and nights are spent serving customers, so it's not an ideal business while raising a family. The cooking gene was passed down from mother to son. Gaytan studied under chefs who trained in the classic French school of gastronomy, and that philosophy of precision became muscle memory. Neither did Gaytan. She served as director of digital strategy for Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and the city of Chicago in the spring of 2022. He would arrive early for his job and leave late. The trucha (trout) is a particular favorite of Gaytans. He was free to go. Gaytan borrowed the passport of a friend who bore a resemblance and entered the country at age 21. Mexican-born Carlos Gaytan moved his way up from the back of the kitchen to Michelin Star chef and owner of the world-renowned Tzuco in Chicago. The name of his latest eatery is short for Huitzuco his hometown and the place where he learned to cook alongside his mother, Doa Tet. This is real," Gaytan said. It was a Monday. Tzuco is one of three new restaurants opening from Carlos Gaytn. It will only be open three days a week and will serve an 11-course tasting menu. On a show like "Top Chef," which selectively edits its footage in service of a storyline, Gaytan's fellow contestants said his portrayal was fairly spot on. Fast forward and Carlos Gaytan is now Chef-owner of Tzuco in the city's Gold Coast neighborhood, where the food is a blend of his Mexican heritage with a French twist. Carlos Gaytan's tamale mole verde is a riff on his mother's recipe. A miracle is a coincidence you know can't be a coincidence. "If not, give us a sign." About a week later, on the morning after he and Iliamar got on their knees in the living room and prayed, Michelin called to inform them of the upgrade to one-star status. "What they don't see is I'm supporting 20-plus families at my restaurant. There, Gaytn learned the art and precision of French cooking. Carlos Gaytn was born in Huitzuco, a small town in Guerrero, Mexico in 1970. That represents home for me. Lives in Clovis, New Mexico. [I wanted the plate to] look like the fields where I used to go hunting with my father, he said. You appreciate the animal that is being sacrificed for you to enjoy it, he told Reuters. "When your faith is so strong, there's not a chance to believe in that. Carlos Gaytan wiki ionformation include family relationships: spouse or partner (wife or husband); siblings; childen/kids; parents life. When he handed the ticket to the clerk, she said there was no record of the citation in the system. The dining room is tiny; it only has 12 seats. Pork and beef from the market were for the privileged. The Worlds 50 Best chooses a Peruvian chef as the best in the world, Brooklyn Beckham might soon have his own online cooking show, Selena Gomez invites Britney Spears to come cook with her any time. As of July 2020, more than nineteen million fresh meals have been prepared by chefs like Gaytan and distributed to communities in need by the WCK. A fresh octopus sits on a kitchen tray, waiting to be transformed into one of Tzucos famous dishes. By Ximena N. Beltran Quan Kiu Updated on August 9, 2022 Photo: Bravo/Getty Images Closing. Carlos Gaytan, world-renowned chef, sits down with us on a special episode of The Face of Chicago Business to share his story.Carlos came from humble beginnings growing up in a small town in Mexico called Huitzuco, the inspiration for his current restaurant masterpiece in Chicago's Gold Coast, Tzuco. The American Dream. Chef Carlos Gaytan arrived in Chicago in early 1991, quickly working his way up from pantry cook to line cook at Sheraton North Shore Hotel. Keith Carlos Gaytan Net Worth. He has that balance part figured out pretty well. In one corner of the converted living room, Gaytan's wife, Iliamar, preached in English; 10 feet away a teenage girl translated into Swahili. Photographer Sandy Noto followed Tzucos Executive Chef and Owner, Carlos Gaytan, around his adopted hometown of Chicago. Teen boy shot to death on South Side ID'd: officials, NFL player's 2-year-old daughter drowns in swimming pool, Authorities continue search for Texas man suspected of killing 5. Before, he was only a semi-recognizable name among Chicago's fooderati. Before, he was only a semi-recognizable name among Chicago's fooderati. He gets recognized not because of his restaurant but because he appeared on a reality cooking competition. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our, Elmhurst Blotter: Man charged with battery for allegedly punching a security guard at a bar, Hinsdale police blotter: multiple thefts reported by patients at Hinsdale Hospital, Glenview police blotter: Harwood Heights woman charged with possession of a stolen vehicle, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. Soon they burned through the bank loan, and Iliamar's mother began supporting the Gaytans via her home day care. Gaytan grew up poor in the southern Mexican state of Guerrero. "If it was meant to be, we'll close our doors," he prayed. How else could Carlos Gaytan explain what happened 17 months ago with his West Town restaurant Mexique spiraling into debt, he and his wife, Iliamar, decided it could no longer go on. Heres Why. His career began at the Sheraton North Shore Hotel as a dishwasher. She would own a taqueria, where every Saturday a 14-year-old Gaytan was in charge of slaughtering and cooking a whole goat. So real that people come to Tzuco from all over the world for a taste of his food. Gaytn believes in the potential of other Mexican chefs, and although he is the first, he doesnt want to be the last. But since November 2012, the wild, sudden swing from near foreclosure to overflowing reservation books, he believes, is more than just good fortune. Carlos Gaytn was born in Huitzuco, Gerrero, Mexico in 1970. It was a hard life that required hunting wild game, foraging in nearby fields, and overnight shifts to prepare the large batch of meals. Select this result to view Carlos J Gaytan's phone number, address, and more. Exposure on that show doesn't translate to guaranteed success. The result: A corn croquette, served with pork belly and salsa instead of broth.. See Photos. Considering the difficult birth of his restaurant, he's happy just to stay financially afloat. 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. Other dishes include escamoles (ant larvae) with epazote (an aromatic herb), avocado and blue corn tortillas. Ximena N. Beltran Quan Kiu is a writer and communication consultant with more than 10 years exploring Mexican culture and identity. On his drive over to City Hall, Gaytan prayed for leniency, hoping he could negotiate an installment plan. But by 2015, Mexique had lost the coveted Michelin star and it would be another year before the neighborhood began to show signs of becoming the booming culinary destination it's now known as. Mexique was taken off the list. How else could Carlos Gaytan explain what happened 17 months ago with his West Town restaurant Mexique spiraling into debt, he and his wife, Iliamar, decided it could no longer go on. Tzuco is officially open for business! At the event, children from Sunday service performed on stage as Liam and Caliani Gaytan led the band. He has decided to utilize his fame toward one cause. Your email address will not be published. He taught Gaytan to carve fruits and vegetables into extravagant centerpieces. They would let their business and liquor license lapse after it expired Friday. African rhythms and chants gave way to an up-tempo Latin beat. Instead, she used to go to the fields and pick all the ingredients and cook with them. "They're not going to find the traditional cooking, they're not going to find enchiladas, they're not going to find tacos," said Gaytan. Your email address will not be published. We didn't do sports so when we were in the field, we used to prepare the animal, and it was just my father and me in the mountains. That was Gaytan's life for his foreseeable future. I take advantage of my French schooling and everything Ive learned over the years. Im super excited to have a lot of things on the menu.. "This man picked up the phone and called every inspector and had them reschedule their inspection for our restaurant the following day," she said. Your email address will not be published. The two are separate operations, but Mexique supports several church members by hiring them on staff. Gaytan grew up poor in the southern Mexican state of Guerrero. Learn more about our use of cookies: cookie policy. Log In. Jeff Miller, then the hotel chef at the Sheraton Chicago Northbrook, remembered plucking Gaytan to his kitchen crew when one of the cooks fell ill. That was the last time Gaytan was paid to wash a dish. Good food is for everyone. The 40-plus members of the congregation had outgrown the converted living room, and now they're raising the $150,000 needed to build an extension. It was just amazing," said Gaytan. Carlos Gaytan. Pastor Isaac said: "Pray." In 2013, as owner of the now-closed Mexique in West Town, Gaytan became the first Mexican-born chef to earn a coveted Michelin star. "Top Chef" hired psychologists to consult with contestants on how to deal with their newfound celebrity. We are [taking] a very talented group, from investors to chefs, he told the Mexican newspaper El Universal at the time. Now hes poised to open Tales of Carlos Gaytn in early March, which will be his most personal restaurant to date. Autobiographical easter eggs are all over the chefs new Near North eatery. She is a regular contributor to English and Spanish TV stations such as Fox and Univision. The cause? Someone sent Gaytan a photoshopped picture of himself under the caption: "ARREST THIS ILLEGAL ALIEN. Gaytan assures that all his food is mom-approved. Gaytan learned to cook, too, and that position led him to an 8-year-stint at the Union League Club in the Loop, then as chef de cuisine at Bistrot Margot in 2004. 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Get the Robb Report newsletter for similar stories delivered straight to your inbox. A fan from Canada recently drove 11 hours, she told Gaytan, just to eat at Mexique. When Michelin gave Mexique its "Bib Gourmand" designation two years in a row a seal of approval for a good restaurant deal it bumped business in the right direction but not enough for the restaurant to get in the black. That's the problem with visionaries sometimes they show up before their time. 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. Plates are inspired by the chefs childhood in Huitzuco, Guerrero (Tzuco is a shortened version of his hometowns name) and life of travels. Growing up in such a small town, it was difficult to dream big. "He was my apprentice, and he took that ball and ran with it further than I was able to go," Miller said. Miller took Gaytan under his tutelage. Jeff Miller, then the hotel chef at the Sheraton Chicago Northbrook, remembered plucking Gaytan to his kitchen crew when one of the cooks fell ill. That was the last time Gaytan was paid to wash a dish. Tales of Carlos Gaytn. Carlos Gaytan Carlos Gaytan, the highly-acclaimed former chef/owner of Mexique, plans to open two restaurants this summer inside the former's Roy's space in River North. "If it was meant to be, we'll close our doors," he prayed. Blanca Rios 10/15/2021. He also opened two additional concepts Panango, a bakery that specialized in Mexican pastries, and a private tasting menu experience, "Tales of Carlos Gaytn," which focused on foods from the chef's personal travels though they eventually closed. He left the hotel for a similar post with the Union League Club of Chicago, a premier private club in the nation. In Mexico, he got right back to work, opening. [It started with] the dishes I made when I felt nostalgic when I missed the food of my country, he told Vice in 2017. They have arranged for social distancing measures for all diners, so some customers will eat outside while others will dine indoors at carefully distanced tables. What you need to live your best life now. I want to have my own small restaurant I can do my fine dining in, but fine dining is not as popular as it was before. Pages of red ink in the restaurant ledger soon turned black. Amplifying the voices of Latino leadership in America, SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER AMPLIFYING THE VOICES OF LATINO LEADERSHIP IN AMERICA. It is a totally Mexican project in the United States.. La Casa de Dios. He followed that up in November 2019 with Panango, a colorful, grab-and-go panaderia or bakery. CHICAGO (WLS) -- It was exactly 30 years ago that a young aspiring chef from Mexico came to Chicago with nothing but a backpack and a dream. Fans snapped endless photos with Gaytan and his fellow Top Chefs. He brings the escamoles directly in from Mercado de San Juan in Mexico City. Two days later, Gaytan says, he received two American Express cards with a credit limit of exactly the amount they needed to continue. Then came the show, in which he placed fourth out of 17, and more important, his portrayal as the even-keeled, faithful, photogenic Latino. "I obviously had a dream, but I didn't know it . It hurt. Tzuco is the main restaurant, but when the full opening is complete, it will also have a 16-seat high-end spot, Tales of Carlos Gaytan, and a Mexican bakery, Panango. 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. They poured their savings into building Mexique. "He was that father figure. (Gaytan became a U.S. citizen in 1998 after his marriage.). They owed $17,000 in back taxes, and business was drying up. SEE ALSO: Latinx, Latino, Hispanic: Defining a community in several terms with different meanings. It bought him time. The dishes his mother cooked resembled no one else's, and when Gaytan's friends visited they'd complain her food lacked authenticity. And he began linking up with the best specialists in their respective fields: Jess Escalera, who was named Latin Americas Best Pastry Chef in 2018 by the Worlds 50 Best Restaurants; Mica Rousseau, a Mexico City-based bartender who was heralded as the countrys top mixologist in the 2016 World Class competition; and Ignacio Cadena, a contemporary restaurant designer responsible for Hueso in Guadalajara and La Leche in Puerto Vallarta. He saw few other chefs in town, besides Rick Bayless (Topolobampo) or Priscila Satkoff (Salpicon), who attempted to serve destination Mexican. Hes already two-thirds of the way there. So, how much is Keith Carlos Gaytan worth at the age of 46 years old? After this latest "miracle," Gaytan acknowledged the time has arrived to show his gratitude. Mexique was one of 16 restaurants to be awarded a one-star rating in Chicago, on par with Blackbird, Spiaggia and Tru, restaurants considered the finest in the city. Then came what Gaytan called miracles, a series of unexpected occurrences he could attribute only to divine intervention. You get the feeling that youre there., Pork pibil from Tzuco, which Gaytn opened late last year. Gaytan thought: "We're done for." Plus, truffle ice cream with vanilla cream and toffee. In 2018, chef Carlos Gaytn abruptly closed his trailblazing Mexican fine dining restaurant, Mexique, in Chicago and left the country. 2021 Guerrero LLC. Then percussion instruments were passed out to worshippers, and the music began. She needed the restaurant permit because it was her family's only source of income. Pastor Isaac is Gaytan's father-in-law. Yet, he was awarded a Michelin star in 2013the first ever given to a Mexican chefand in 2014, which bolstered business. Peeling the Styrofoam away from the cake, it was then plated with a sweet cream spiked with tequila. But he longed for the food of his youth. Once he returned, he started hunting for spaces for a new concept. Like this article? Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Gaytan has been spending his mornings prepping and packing meals for donation through the World Central Kitchen (WCK). Running a restaurant requires a devotion most outside the industry can't comprehend. View the profiles of professionals named "Carlos Gaytan" on LinkedIn. And biznaga (cactus) with cilantro-flavored pineapple, tomatillo marmalade, cactus sorbet and stone yogurt. The menu was unlike what most people associated with Mexican cuisine at the time. Every dish is going to have a story behind [it]. They poured their savings into building Mexique. So I said, I'll take the challenge.". At the age of 20, he headed to Chicago, Illinois looking for a life change, unaware that his gastronomy and his mother's special gusto would play a crucial role in his future. In 2018, chef Carlos Gaytn abruptly closed his trailblazing Mexican fine dining restaurant, Mexique, in Chicago and left the country. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Dreaming of a life bigger than what was in front of him, Gaytn decided to go to the United States. The restaurant was packed the next night. "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.
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