Celebrity Chef Jonathan Zaragoza Provides Cooking Demo for Carson City Culinary Students
Culinary Art students at Carson Middle School were in for a rare treat this morning and Monday as acclaimed Celebrity Chef and Restaurateur Jonathan Zaragoza hosted cooking demonstrations and sampling.
Known for his mastery of Mexican cuisine and his innovative take on traditional dishes, Chef Zaragoza and the Chartwells K12 team also provided samples of bacon-wrapped hotdogs with caramelized onions, peppers, pico de gallo and roasted corn at Eagle Valley Middle School during lunch.
The events were part of the Global Eats initiative and coincided with the school’s celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. Chef Zaragoza graciously shared his culinary expertise with students, offering them firsthand insight into the world of professional cooking. The school events not only featured delicious cooking demonstrations but also highlighted the significance of cultural culinary traditions.
Zaragoza is renowned for his appearances on the Netflix show Taco Chronicles as well as a cameo appearance in the hit TV series The Bear, but he is better known as a Chicago-based chef where he has gained a reputation for elevating Mexican flavors and techniques. He was raised in Chicago’s Southside by a tight-knight family with strong cooking roots. He gained experience working at premier restaurants in Chicago, first becoming a chef at age 22. In 2007, Zaragoza opened Birrieria Zaragoza giving him a platform to create and continue learning.
Chef Zaragoza’s path has taken him throughout Mexico, deep into its rich culinary heritage, to bring its traditions with him to London, Dubai, Paris, Australia and all across the United States. His work has also been highlighted in prestigious culinary magazines, further cementing his place as one of the country’s leading chefs.
ABOUT Carson City School District
Located in Nevada’s capital, Carson City School District offers public education to approximately 7,300 students throughout Carson City. The district includes 6 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, 1 alternative high school and 1 comprehensive high school. Carson City School District boasts many successes including impressive graduation rates, strict safety measures, programs for gifted students and advanced placement classes, among several others. For more information, visit carsoncityschools.com.