
Born and raised in the bustling city of Chicago, renowned chef Manny Mendoza’s passion for cooking was ignited at a young age while watching his mother prepare meals for their family. As he trailed her in the kitchen, Mendoza discovered the magic of transforming simple ingredients into delicious dishes. He honed his skills by assisting his mother and eventually began working in professional kitchens during his high school years.
Despite his love for cooking, Mendoza’s curiosity about the larger food system was sparked at a young age. Growing up in the South Side of Chicago, a neighborhood with limited access to fresh and healthy food, he questioned why there were such disparities in food availability and health outcomes among different communities. This realization led him to explore the socio-political aspects of food and its impact on people’s lives.
After graduating high school, Mendoza attended the prestigious Culinary Institute of America in New York City, where he was exposed to the global culinary scene. He and his classmates would spend evenings trying different cuisines and styles of service, which opened his eyes to the broader concept of food and its origins. He became fascinated with the dynamics between food production, distribution, and consumption, and wanted to understand the system better.
In addition to his interest in the food system, Mendoza also began questioning the stigma surrounding cannabis, both as a drug and as an ingredient. He and his friends, who were also elite cooks, would discreetly smoke before class and still excel in their studies. They eventually started experimenting with cooking with cannabis and noticed a stark difference in the high-end dishes they were creating compared to their regular dishes.
Mendoza’s passion for food and his curiosity about the larger systems at play have led him to become a renowned chef and advocate for food justice. He continues to push boundaries and challenge perceptions through his innovative cooking and dedication to creating a more equitable food system.