Chef Rick Martinez is a celebrated Mexican-American chef, author, food personality, and recipe developer who regularly contributes to The New York Times. Known for his vibrant, effervescent personality and innovative cooking style, Rick has received numerous accolades for his debut cookbook, including the prestigious James Beard Award for International Cooking, as well as two IACP awards for Best International Cookbook and Book of the Year in 2023. Born and raised in Austin, TX, and now based in Mazatlán, Mexico, Rick spent decades in advertising before following his dream of working with food. Rick graduated from the French Culinary Institute and worked under Dan Kluger at ABC Kitchen before working at Bon Appétit as a senior food editor. Years later, he discovered his true passion—to challenge misconceptions about Mexican cuisine. Through his work and cookbooks, he now showcases the vibrancy and diversity of Mexican food, highlighting its rich cultural heritage and how easily it can be incorporated into everyday cooking.
Rick on the Today Show last month:
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Join us for a night of delicious food!
We’re honored to recognize the dedicated leaders who are helping make this event possible.
Thank you for your generous support.
Jordan and Marty Brainerd
Lisa and Edwin Cabaniss
Lori and Scott Christensen
Catherine Corrigan
Sara Fraser Crismon
Nichole and Chris Culak
Betsy and Richard Eiseman
Kathleen and Robert Gibson
Eugenia and Frank-Paul King
Leslie and Luke Mallison
Meaders and Robert Ozarow
Floramay and Gabor J. Racz
Catherine and Will Rose
The Visiting Nurse Association of Texas (VNA) is a nonprofit that has played a critical role in community-based health care since 1934. We provide hospice and palliative care, nutritious meals and social connection for homebound seniors, and serve as the premier aging resource for North Texas.
Through your participation in Celebrity Chef, you'll be helping to ensure VNA can continue to serve the seniors of North Texas through programs like Meals on Wheels and charitable Hospice Care.
To learn more about the ways we're serving seniors visit the link below.
Robin Plotkin
Email: plotkinr@vnatexas.org
Call: (214) 725-3947
Jennifer Austin
Email: jennifer.austin@vnatexas.org
Call: (214) 384-9515