#117 - James Beard-Nominee & Restaurateur Jose Salazar Shares His Recipe for Success

We’re thrilled to host James Beard-nominated chef and renowned restaurateur Jose Salazar on The Necessary Entrepreneur! Known for his innovative fusion of Latin American and modern American cuisine, Chef Salazar has transformed the culinary scene with his award-winning restaurants Salazar, Mita’s, and Goose & Elder.

Born in Colombia and raised in Queens, Jose’s journey began at Donatella Arpaia’s Bellini before working alongside culinary legends like Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Geoffrey Zakarian, and Thomas Keller. Named “Best New Chef” by Food & Wine in 2011, he earned a 5-star review as Executive Chef at Cincinnati’s historic Cincinnatian Hotel before launching his own restaurants.

Now, Jose is embarking on exciting new ventures: a 2025 expansion of Salazar and the debut of his Moroccan-inspired Safi Wine Bar. With his celebrated restaurants and dedication to sustainability, Jose continues to redefine modern cuisine while staying true to his heritage.

In this episode, Chef Salazar shares how he built his culinary empire, his philosophy on sourcing local ingredients, and how he balances creativity with running a business. Discover the challenges and triumphs behind leading multiple restaurants and his advice for aspiring chefs and entrepreneurs.

Whether you’re a foodie, entrepreneur, or someone chasing a dream, Jose’s inspiring journey will motivate you to turn your passion into success.

Find out more about Jose Salazar: https://www.instagram.com/chefjosesalazar/ https://www.facebook.com/jose.salazar.927 https://modernadventure.com/our-trips/portugal-with-jose-salazar/

Find out more about Jose's Restaurants: https://www.salazarcincinnati.com/ https://www.mitas.co/ https://www.safiwinebar.com/ https://www.daylilydeli.com/

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