Chef Francisco Delgado is a proud retired U.S. Army veteran with 23 years of experience as a Culinary Management NCO and a lifelong passion for cooking rooted in family tradition.
Inspired by watching his father and grandmother prepare meals with pride, care, and love, Chef Delgado developed an appreciation for the power of food to bring people together and create lasting memories. Following his military career, he continued serving the armed forces as a Galley Manager for the U.S. Navy in Bahrain.
Throughout his journey, he has remained committed to honoring the legacy passed down by his family while continuously growing both personally and professionally. Today, his children, and now his new grandson have inspired him to keep learning, striving for excellence, and building a legacy of passion, service, and dedication for future generations.
FAVORITE PRODUCTS
9667 - Custom Culinary® Ready-To-Use Frozen Latin-Style Citrus Chili Sauce
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6830 - Custom Culinary® Latin Citrus Liquid Flavor Concentrate
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6831 - Custom Culinary® Latin Herb Liquid Flavor Concentrate
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9683 - Custom Culinary® True Foundations® Birria Broth
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6832 - Custom Culinary® Latin Chili Liquid Flavor Concentrate
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9902 - Custom Culinary® Ready-To-Use Frozen Tomatillo Serrano Sauce
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Dish It Out: Chef Delgado Q&A
YEARS IN FOODSERVICE INDUSTRY:
35
WHEN DID YOU KNOW YOU WERE GOING TO BECOME A CHEF?
I knew from the moment I was a little boy and loved being in the kitchen with my grandma and father. They both showed me what it truly means to cook with love. I felt it in my blood, that I was destined to be a chef.
WHAT'S THE BEST ADVICE YOU HAVE EVER RECEIVED?
I still live by the advice my grandma gave me before I left for basic training. She told me, "Mijo, be the best cook you can be every day, and always cook with love."
IMAGINE YOU COULD HAVE DINNER WITH ANY THREE PEOPLE, LIVING OR DEAD, WHO WOULD YOU PICK AND WHY?
My late grandmother Tavita and father Francisco, along with my grandson Micah. I would bring them together so we could share a meal and talk about how our family's love and passion for food has evolved through the generations. My father inspired my culinary journey, and I would want him and my grandma to see how far that passion has carried me throughout my military career and beyond. Most importantly, I would want my grandson to hear their stories, understand where they come from, and see how our family's legacy continues through him. It would be a special moment connecting the past, present, and future of our family around one table.
MEMBERSHIPS:
American Culinary Federation (ACF)