Meet Alex Garcia | Aroma Executive Chef

We had the good fortune of connecting with Alex Garcia and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alex, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I always saw myself growing up to be an entrepreneur. I liked the idea of being able to build something from scratch and create a culture where people want to work for you. When a business, or in my case my restaurant, opens and closes everyday I know that I set that up to operate. I am proud of all the obstacles and successes that we have endured as a restaurant and I know that the feeling I get from that only comes from being an entrepreneur.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Aroma Mexican Artisan Kitchen is a restaurant with a chef and a modern Mexican baroque atmosphere is a neighborhood Restaurant. We use the combination of clay plates and blown glass glasses, a table with a tablecloth to present our food. You will always see someone you know when you go in. We have an interactive chef’s counter where the chefs cook right in front of you in the completely open window to the kitchen. The restaurant is about 94 seats total so the atmosphere always feels lively. The food and drinks are extremely thought out in the Mexican culture . Each dish or drink is crafted with taste and presentation in mind. We try to use as much local and fresh produce and ingredients as possible to create an artisan dish unique in flavor .
we are really proud of our products such as handmade flour and corn tortillas, our Cochinita Pibil with a very old recipe! and our brunch with very Mexican flavors and presented with great pride !
on my 22 years in this profession I have been in different branches of this industry, Hotels, Hospitals, Restaurants and Senior living learning and growing professionally.

There have been a few challenges since we opened 2 years ago. The most major one Covid is an obvious challenge and like most other restaurants we are battling sticking with our mission and our vision and being safe during a very unpredictable time. What has gotten us through all circumstances has been perseverance and not being scared to try anything.
Aroma’s main purpose is to give our guests a special place with a comfortable atmosphere, where everyone can come and escape from the day to day routine, accompanied by excellent Mexican dishes and cocktails with a touch of innovation and prepared with the highest quality standards.
We would like to assure our customers that each one of the members that belong to this extraordinary family has a commitment to Aroma’s goals and each one of them is willing to pay attention to the smallest detail with attentive service! This natural effort will make each one of our staff to be responsible for those amazing moments creating the perfect ambiance for our guests!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I am a big breakfast person so this would definitely include going out to few spots like Nyam Nyam crepes . We would spend some time up in Kema and for lunch Tookies for great hamburgers , dinner we will go to Rudy y paco in Galveston. next morning maybe breakfast at Kelly’s . If we had more time I would go to Woodlands to see a concert and eat Italian at Zanti. next day we will go to Taqueria Laredo for breakfast burritos, tacos, ! and for lunch at Caracol or Xochi with chef Hugo Ortega. There are many other places, but these are some of my favorites

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My staff deserves more credit than I do! I will start with my Wife and GM Gaby Garcia , is truly talented and constantly inspiring me and always stepping up and refining her craft. My whole crew that I get to work with every day have had some influence on me. There is nothing more complimentary than having a loyal and inspired staff. I know that I have that at Shift, and I am super honored to go into battle with them everyday. and especially to a chef who was a great guide to me , Patricia Quintana an expert in Mexican gastronomy, who unfortunately is no longer with us, but is remembered with great affection!

Website: www.aromamexicankitchen.com

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Yelp: aromamexicanartisankitchen