Alex Martinez, Research & Development Corporate Chef for V & E restaurant group based out of Miami, was born in New York City and relocated to Miami, FL as a young boy. Being raised in a Puerto Rican household there was always something cooking in the kitchen. Alex’s interest in food set in at the early age of 13 when Alex began bringing home recipes from home economics class and trying them out at home. Paying close attention to what mom and grandma were doing in the kitchen Alex developed a passion for all things involved with cooking.
Alex joined Vida & Estilo in 2009 and since then has been overseeing from new openings to daIly operations in both Miami & Las Vegas for brands such as Barsecco, Mercato della Pescheria, La Cerveceria de Barrio, Oh Mexico, Paperfish sushi, Marabu & Café Americano.
After working in a few gourmet delis in Miami, Fl Alex began work at the beach house hotel in Bal Harbour, Fl, here at the beach house he began to broaden his culinary knowledge by working under chefs like Sheila Lukins (silver palate cookbook) and James Beard award winner Michael Schwartz (Michaels genuine). After five years at the beach house Alex moved on to being a Sous Chef at the Palm Aire Country Club in Pompano Beach, Fl and then moving up to Chef de Cuisine at The Isle of Capri Casino in Pompano Beach, Fl as well.
Alex left The Isle of Capri to pursue his desire to create his own menu and his idea of good food. After securing a partner Alex took the helm of Bamboo Noah’s, a fast and fresh food concept, in Plantation, Fl. The restaurant was a success and was welcomed by the community and media with rave reviews of fresh foods and flavorful sauces with an asian and Mediterranean inspired twist and also being a tiny gem in Plantation. After his work was done at Bamboo Noah’s, he joined V&E as Corporate Chef.
Alex has become a fixture on local Miami television, he has been invited to appear on NBC 6 in the mix on several occasions and has also appeared on Telemundo 23 Despierta America, He also featured in several local magazines and newspapers showcasing the group exciting cuisine.
Working for Vida & Estilo has given him the opportunity to master the variety in his culinary with restaurants such as Café Americano a 24-hour American fare with a Latin twist with now four locations including Caesars Palace in Las Vegas & Ocean Drive in Miami Beach. The restaurants have opened to rave reviews from some of Las Vegas toughest critics. A testament to Alex’s skills in the kitchen is also Mercato della Pescheria, an Italian themed seafood restaurant in the Venetian hotel located on the famous Las Vegas strip & on Espanola Way, Miami Beach
