Chef Alex Lopez

We're happy to have Chef Alex on our staff. Her ready smile and passion for food make her a joy for our guests to learn from. We asked her to share with us some of her culinary story. You can follow her current adventures in food through her blog.

As far back as I can remember I have been in the kitchen. My mom and I would bake bread and make delicious soups and stews. I grew up in a Mexican home so the savory bold flavors of chiles and spices always enveloped my senses.

The women in my family are all excellent self- taught cooks. My Grandmother's quesadillas are wonderful little crispy grilled tortillas filled with tender squash blossoms from her garden, roasted poblano peppers and tangy queso fresco. My Aunt Helen's salsa verde is tangy and spicy with loads of jalapenos, onion and vibrant cilantro. My mother always comforted me with her delicious mole poblano.

Mole, by far is my favorite dish in the world. It is a complex sauce made from a variety of dried chiles, toasted sesame seeds, peanuts and chocolate. Yes, that's right...chocolate. It's a good thing the Aztecs discovered this wonderful ingredient. The sauce is luscious and thick and is simmered with chicken stock. I serve it atop a heaping bowl of Mexican rice and top it with sour cream.

I grew up on the Southside of Chicago. Growing up in a diverse city allowed me to savor many flavors from around the world. Eastern European, Greek, Italian, and, of course, pizza! After 16 years in Chicago, my family and I moved to Florida. It was a bit of a culture shock. I missed the comforts of my home town's flavors. I did however grow to enjoy what the Sunshine State had to offer me. Bountiful seafood, fresh citrus, down home Southern food and the vibrant flavors of the Caribbean.

After college, I followed my love of food to the Orlando Culinary Academy. Cooking classes were intense, but I loved every minute of it! After an externship at the swank new restaurant PRIMO, with noted organic chef Melissa Kelly, I graduated with honors. Shortly after graduation I was awarded a full scholarship to visit Thailand. I also had brief stops in Hong Kong and Osaka.

Now I’m in San Francisco, and am blessed to live in such a food conscious city. I have been a member of the Hands on Gourmet staff for a year. I truly love sharing my passion for food with our guests as well as learning from them and from my fellow chefs. I always look forward to meeting new people and creating wonderfully delicious meals with them. I am looking forward to a great spring and summer with the Hands on Gourmet crew. Until next time happy eating!