Meet the Executive Chef: Lilia Martinez

There's always that one staff member that makes people feel comfortable with their job. It is the trusting and loving presence that makes the new members of the crew feel at home with their work. When I talked about it with the staff of RG Cocina Mexicana, I realized the person that made them feel comfortable: Lilia Martinez. She’s the Executive Chef of the restaurant, and after hearing great things about her, I couldn’t wait to talk to her! That’s how I ended up sitting down with her, curious about her story.  

She was born in Oaxaca, Mexico. She told me that back there, she worked in a judicial part of the penitentiary system, traveling across the state, living in the mountains and the shore. From experiencing that, she interacted directly with Mexican Cuisine straight from the source, spending time with the natives, sitting on their tables and getting first hand knowledge of how they made their food for their families. “I’ve learn lot from that experience”. It wasn’t all just about culinary techniques, during that time they taught her how to make things like hammocks and paintings.

Lilia started working in the restaurant eleven years ago, January 11th. When I asked her what was the best thing she offered to RG Cocina Mexicana, she told me that it is the flavour she puts in the food, and the years of experience she has in the establishment. ”It’s like my family, I have to thank George for that. He taught us how to feel passion about the job.” When she told me about him, she explained that she was incredibly grateful for the knowledge he imparted to her, the new knowledge he gave her about the kitchen and the service. She works a lot in the restaurant, helping in all the steps of preparation from the beginning, even cleaning when she has spare time.

Speaking of that, I asked her which one was her favorite and she said: The Mole. The reason is that it was the most traditional dish of the restaurant. “George brought a recipe that’s delicious, and I love to do it because even though it means a lot of work, it’s worth it.”  She explained that it was a process that represented her and her culture. Lilia told me how it was made: They roast the chiles and place them into water, to be blended finely. Then the onions, tomatoes and garlic are roasted too, along with a secret combination of spices. The last part is mixing those preparations with chocolate. “I love the mix of the traditional and the new style.” At that point I wanted to know what her favorite drink was, and she replied instantly that it was the Michelada, made with a cold Corona.

She commented me that she hopes that RG Cocina Mexicana includes more traditional but uncommon dishes on the menu, to differentiate them from the rest of the restaurants. “There’s a lot of Mexican food that people don’t know, it would be great to bring those flavours as special dishes.” Lilia said that she knows many other traditionals dishes thanks to her sister’s that worked as a catering chef, and that there’s a lot of traditional mexican food that George could incorporate into the menu, using his talents to give it a modern and unique twist.

To her, the best thing about RG Cocina Mexicana is the service. “That’s what makes us different in the eyes of the clients, our hospitality.” She told me that George showed her the importance of consistency: Even though mistakes can appear during the service, she should lead the kitchen to pull through those, and demonstrate that they can overcome those things with team work. Lilia feels responsible “It’s my team, that’s why I want to fix those problems with a smile.”

At that point, she explained that she doesn’t think much of the upcoming years. “I don’t think about the future, I like to live day by day.” Although she made a confession: She’s very excited about the idea of opening other restaurants along with George. His plans are to make it a franchise dedicated to modernized mexican food, and at that point, she would like to direct the kitchen department. She wants to supervise that they keep the essence and spirit in all the places where RG Cocina Mexicana opens.

 

“The food we make it’s traditional Mexican, it’s made by a Mexican woman who loves what she does, and the clients can feel that. ”

-Lilia Martinez-

RG Cocina Mexicana address is 314 72nd ST, Miami Beach, FL 33141. Their phone number is: 305-4647404.