Chef Jose Garces - 16 and counting, Ecuadorean by heritage, Garces has built a pan-Latin empire from his Philadelphia home base, growing from humble beginnings into a premier chef with 16 restaurants across three states, plus the District of Columbia. After growing up in Chicago and cooking in both Spain and the U.S.,
Garces landed in Philly in 2001. He opened Amada, his flagship Andalusian tapas restaurant in Old City, just four years later. Steady expansion, along with several hit cookbooks, a role on Food Network’s “Iron Chef America” and the Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic award from the James Beard Foundation would soon follow. These days, Garces splits his time between his many concepts; his Garces Foundation, which provides support and services to Philadelphia’s immigrant communities; Garces & Sons Coffee, where Chef Garces works with his father, who roasts all of the coffee; and Luna Farm, his 40-acre farm in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
Chef Jose Garces’ Newest Ecuadorian Seafood Experience Olón - Located on the beachside of the Tropicana in Atlantic City, is where you’ll find Chef Jose Garce’s newest 128 seats Ecuadorian inspired seafood restaurant offering his traditional family recipes. While the food and service are outstanding as expected, Olón is unlike any other Garces restaurant you’ve previously been to. With picturesque views of the Atlantic City shoreline visible from every table, you will be engulfed in the beach-like atmosphere throughout your entire dining experience. Natural and soft décor, including cozy booths with brightly colored pillows and private island-style seating coves, allow you to feel relaxed while enjoying your meal. During warmer months, outside seating is also available for those who wish to reap the perfectly located restaurant's benefits and enjoy the beachfront views.
Philadelphia's Latino Chefs & restaurateurs - Philly's national reputation as a thriving, open-to-all city extends to its flourishing culinary scene, which features many executive chefs of Latin descent. From nationally renowned luminaries with multiple successful restaurants (Jose Garces, Guillermo Pernot) to upstarts making a solid name for themselves here (Jezabel Careaga, Adan Trinidad, Cristina Martinez), these talented chefs come from all over Latin America, the Caribbean, and South America, bringing a highly diverse set of flavors and traditions to the communal table
7 Facts About Philadelphia's Latino Community - Philly honors Hispanic Culture thought the year with food, fun, and fiestas. Revelers can catch the Latino spirit at the Mexican Independence Day Festival on Penn’s Landing and the Puerto Rican Day Parade on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Thought the year, arts and culture lovers have more to look forward to the such as last years opening of the El Corazon Cultural Center in El Centro de Oro and the North American debut of the exhibition Paint the Revolution: Mexican Modernism, 1910-1950 at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.