About
About us
Chef Dionicio emigrated to the United States in 1998 in search of a better life. From Mexico City to California to Philly, he walked thousands of miles, slept in deserts, endured days and nights with no sleep, and fearlessly swam across a river chilled by November weather. Finally Chef made it to Philly to live with his brother, create a home here. Fifteen years after crossing the border, Chef became a US citizen.
Chef’s culinary journey started at 14 working in a restaurant in his hometown. After coming to the US, he learned the ropes of a kitchen – dishwasher, line cook, prep cook, chef, and Executive Chef. Throughout his journey, Chef has brought his heritage to his Philly home – fusing new flavors and cuisines, keeping his family traditions alive, and sharing his Mexican cuisine and culture with the Philly community.
Nosotros
Chef Dionicio emigró a los Estados Unidos en 1998 en busca de una vida mejor. Desde la Ciudad de México hasta California y Filadelfia, caminó miles de kilómetros, durmió en los desiertos, soportó días y noches sin dormir y cruzó a nado audazmente un río helado por el clima de noviembre. Finalmente, Chef llegó a Filadelfia para vivir con su hermano y crear un hogar aquí. Quince años después de cruzar la frontera, Chef Dionicio se convirtió en ciudadano estadounidense. El viaje culinario del chef comenzó a los 14 años trabajando en un restaurante en su ciudad natal. Después de venir a los EE. UU., aprendió el manejo de una cocina: lavaplatos, cocinero de línea, cocinero de preparación, chef y chef ejecutivo. A lo largo de su viaje, Chef ha traído su herencia a su hogar en Filadelfia: fusionando nuevos sabores y cocinas, manteniendo vivas las tradiciones familiares y compartiendo su cocina y cultura mexicana con la comunidad de Filadelfia.
Valores:
Pasión
Servicio
Respeto
Honestidad
Chef Dionicio's hometown
Chef Dionicio grew up in a small town, south of Mexico City, called San Mateo Ozolco, Calpan Puebla, Mexico.
His Inspiration
Chef has brought his heritage to his Philly home – fusing new flavors and cuisines, keeping his family traditions alive, and sharing his Mexican cuisine and culture with the Philly community.
Popocatépetl
An active volcano in Chef's hometown. Named after the Mexican Legend about the handsome warrior, Popocatépetl.
Iztaccíhuatl
A dormant volcano in Chef's hometown. Named after the Mexican legend about the beautiful princess, Iztaccíhuatl.
A Love Story: The Legend of Popocatépetl & Iztaccíhuatl
The one of the two highest volcanoes in Mexico, Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl inspired this legend of love about their origin.
During the Aztec Empire, thousands of years ago, the Aztecs would tax neighboring towns causing friction between them. In one of the towns, Chief of the Tlaxcaltecas, decided enough is enough and went to war to fight for his people's freedom. The Tlaxcaltecas were known as skilled fighters who worshiped the god of war and hunting, Camaxtli.
Princess Iztaccíhuatl, the Chief's daughter, fell in love with Popocatépetl, the most skilled warrior. Before the battle, Popocatépetl asked for Princess Iztaccíhuatl's hand in marriage. The Chief approved as long as Popocatépetl came back home after winning the battle.
Elated, Popocatépetl, departed for battle with Iztaccíhuatl's promise of marriage. While away at war, Popocatépetl's jealous adversary told Iztaccíhuatl that Popocatépetl died in war. The news had broken Iztaccíhuatl's heart and she died without knowing the truth. Popocatépetl returned victorious from battle, crushed that his soon-to-be bride was dead.