The Food Diva

Chef Alexandra I. Lopez

About The Food Diva

As far back as I can remember I have been in the kitchen. After watching Sesame Street on PBS, Julia Child would come on. Along with Julia, I enjoyed Martin Yan and Justin Wilson. I would mimic them by playing "cooking show" with my plastic toy food and mini kitchen set. My audience was made up of Care Bears and Strawberry Shortcake. I grew up in a Mexican home where the savory bold flavors of chiles and spices always enveloped my senses. The women in my family are all excellent self taught cooks. My Grandparents owned a seafood restaurant in Mexico. Growing up in a food family allowed me to be inquisitive about foods and I greatly appreciate the encouragement from my parents to expand my palette from such an early age.

Growing up in a diverse city like Chicago allowed me to savor many flavors from around the world. I enjoyed the comfort foods that my Eastern European neighborhood had to offer. I learned to make kolacky and pierogie at Christmas time, and still today it is a family tradition along with tamales. On special occasions like Mother's day and Easter we would have dinner in Greek Town or China Town. I loved coming home with little bags of rice candy and almond cookies. It was my own special little treat.

After 16 years in Chicago, my family moved to Florida. Although I missed the familiarity of Chicago I was excited to explore new flavors. Bountiful seafood, fresh citrus, down home Southern food and the vibrant flavors of the Caribbean really sparked an interest in me to travel and discover people and places. I ventured along the Southeastern states learning about Low Country cooking and BBQ. I live for road trips!

After two years of college I wondered what my true career path would lead me. After numerous years working in the restaurant industry as a server and bartender, I thought about going to culinary school.  My passion for food and curiosity of ingredients and flavors took over me. I formed the school's first newsletter and also started a foodie club called the Epicurean Explorers. I hosted themed outings like a tapas party, an Oktoberfest celebration and a trip to a local Indian market to buy spices and cookware. My enthusiasm of all things food related became completely infectious. I was hungry to learn and taste more.

Upon graduation from cooking school I was awarded a full culinary scholarship to study in Thailand. What an amazing and life changing experience that was.  The universal language of food is something that I take with me everywhere I venture to.

I lived in San Francisco for four years where I gained a great appreciation for farm to table cooking. I was so blessed to live in such a food conscious city. The appreciation for sweet produce, fresh seafood, artisan cheese and bread as well as award winning wine is apparent in the many food shops, farmers markets and specialty stores in the Bay Area. While in San Francisco I worked in the test kitchen at Williams-Sonoma as well as with Hands on Gourmet, a cooking party company that hosts culinary events for private functions and corporate clients. I taught cooking classes at Sur La Table, Kitchen on Fire, Pauldings & Co as well as Ramekins in Sonoma county. I volunteered with CUESA, Slow Food Nation and Project Open Hand.

Upon my return to Chicago I took a job in Elburn, IL. I worked as the chef at Heritage Prairie Farm. We hosted monthly farm dinners and also prepared food to sell at the Green City market in Chicago. I cooked with the freshest picks of the season. I delved more into food preservation and cooking with simple, humble ingredients. This green awareness, along with my love of spices and global cooking has formed my culinary style of Earthy Ethnic Eats....Food with Roots.