THE CHEF

Chef Rene Valenzuela is best known for founding Taco Bus (which he sold in 2015), Taqueria Monterrey, and his current venture, Rene’s Mexican Kitchen. He has also made appearances on the Food Network's "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives" with Guy Fieri, the Travel Channel's "Man vs. Food," and the Cooking Channel's "Food Nation," among others.

 

His passion for Mexican cuisine is deeply rooted in the northern style, influenced by his upbringing in Monterrey and Sonora, Mexico, where his parents hail from.

 

Chef Rene's culinary philosophy is firmly grounded in tradition, but it's a tradition that continually evolves. He embraces a modern approach, always staying on the cutting edge of Mexican cuisine's evolution. This approach involves incorporating new cooking techniques and catering to contemporary lifestyles and nutritional preferences.

 

He takes great pleasure in crafting dishes that feature both familiar and obscure ingredients from the depths of Mexico, blending the modern with the traditional, providing comfort and a sense of mystery. When pushing the envelope on modern Mexican cuisine, it is always with an understanding of the ingredients, history, traditions, and a palate sensibility to stay true to what makes Mexican food Mexican.

 

His primary goal is to bring joy to the mouths of his guests, to see the smiles of people savoring his food, faces of joy, and to hear the sounds of pleasure and the licking of fingers. All of it to be shared with friends and family.