CHEF de CUISINE

ERNESTO M. ESTRADA

Ernesto M. Estrada was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas. The Culinary trade has always intrigued him. “ I can remember watching my Grandmother Consuelo & my Mother Jesusita from our raggedy old kitchen table making tortilla dough by the window. No store bought measuring tools, no recipe, just a simple used, beaten up coffee cup with no handle and a hand made Mexican wooden bowl. They would be pouring and mixing and I would be thinking to myself, ”How do they know that will become a tortilla?” Now I know, it was all by feel and experience.”

Later in life I finally realized that all families, Latin or other, are always lured to the kitchen by aromas, interaction, conversation and most of all curiosity of “What’s for Dinner?” That’s what I want to bring to “My Table.”

Upon graduating from the Culinary program at Gary Job Corps in San Marcos, Tx. He joined the staff of Bistro Time Restaurant owned by Executive Chef Frans W. Hendricks in his native San Antonio in May of 1994. He had to earn his place and most of all respect of the kitchen staff. In May of 1996 he proved himself worthy of the Sous Chef title and remained there until May of 2000. In the same month, Ernie (as he likes to be called,) accepted a cook 1 position at “Francesca’s at Sunset” fine dining restaurant. “Some people asked why I would willingly accept a demotion in title, but I saw it as an opportunity.” Since his decision, Chef Ernie has worked on numerous Ex. Chef Mark Miller dinners, (one of the founding fathers of Southwest Cuisine.)  Outstanding wine dinners, and themed dinners of culture and drink. When asked about his most memorable moment here at Francesca’s besides being deemed the Chef De Cuisine, Chef Ernie replied. “I’ve learned a lot and continue to do so. Now, working with ingredients that match my upbringing and arouse my culinary curiosity. It has to be when I finally realized it brought me back to my roots. It brought that 4 year old back to the table of my youth.”