Intro
ABOUT
CHEF YERIKA’S
BEGINNINGS
Chef Yerika Muñoz is a renowned Mexican chef who has gained international recognition for her expertise in Mexican and Peruvian cuisine. She is known for her innovative approach to traditional Mexican dishes, incorporating modern techniques and high-quality ingredients to create unique and flavorful creations.
Throughout her career, Chef Yerika Muñoz has consistently demonstrated her passion for Mexican and Peruvian gastronomy, her commitment to excellence, and her ability to innovate.
She has become an influential figure in the culinary world, inspiring aspiring chefs and elevating the global appreciation of Mexican cuisine.
Today, she is the brilliant mind behind exquisite restaurants such as Zazil, Jardín, and her latest project, Suspiro, located in Santana Row, San Jose, CA.
Culinary Passion: How It All Began
In Bosques del Lago, within the metropolitan area of Mexico City, a young girl was born into a loving family. This sweet-eyed child was fortunate to spend time with three remarkable women: her mother and her grandmothers, who played pivotal roles in her upbringing and deeply influenced her life. From one grandmother, she learned the values of strength, courage, and leadership. From the other, she discovered a profound love for cooking and the warmth of a home. And from her mother, she learned the importance of never giving up, always pursuing her dreams, and understanding that nothing is impossible.
At an incredibly young age, almost without realizing it, she found her greatest passion: cooking. She understood that cooking was not just about mixing ingredients but about the love and connection shared around the table. It became clear to her that when a family gathers to share a meal, it’s not just about eating, but about creating memories and conveying emotions through each dish.
Yerika began her formal education in the State of Mexico, part of the Mexico City metropolitan area. Coming from a traditional family, she faced pressure to obtain a university degree. She enrolled in the prestigious Tecnológico de Monterrey to study Hospitality and Tourism. However, work opportunities arose, and she was unable to complete her final year.
After leaving university, Yerika decided to fully embrace her passion for cooking. In a bold move, she relocated to Pasadena, California, marking the start of her culinary journey. Her first stop was the California School of Culinary Arts in Pasadena, California, where she honed her skills and mastered new techniques. Thanks to her determination and accomplishments, she earned a position at The Peninsula Hotel in Beverly Hills, starting as an intern in the pastry department. There, she worked in a calm environment, creating delicate desserts, but something was missing.
She soon felt drawn to the excitement, bustle, and fast-paced rhythm of the main kitchen, where the real action happened. And so, her journey into the vibrant world of professional cooking truly began.
Be Careful What You Wish For...
Shortly after, Yerika was invited to join Frida Beverly Hills, a high-end Mexican cuisine restaurant where, even today, you can enjoy some of her dishes, especially some of her grandmothers’ dessert recipes. Despite having little experience at the time, and being the brave woman she is, she gladly accepted the challenge. Many sleepless nights followed, during which she developed the concept, created the menu, and helped build the restaurant from the ground up, all while serving as Executive Chef at a young age. Everything that Frida Beverly Hills is today is thanks to Chef Yerika.
Following her time at Frida, where she had the privilege of serving renowned figures like Michael J. Fox, Salma Hayek, and sports legends like Michael Jordan, Yerika was given the opportunity to join Crystal Cruises. On May 13, 2004, in Southampton, England, she boarded the Crystal Serenity. It was her first time on a cruise ship, an entirely new experience, and there she was, overseeing three of the ship’s six restaurants, managing a team of 180 cooks and ten chefs.
Being the only woman and the only Latina in that position was no easy start. Yerika had to prove herself repeatedly, overcoming her lack of experience with cruises and, to be frank, confronting sexism. She was the subject of bets and unflattering comments about how long she would last on the job. In the end, thanks to her strong personality, she remained on board for three years and ultimately earned the respect and friendship of the crew.
From this incredible journey, lifelong friendships were born. Even after 20 years, these friends remain among her closest, spread across different parts of the world. Special thanks go to Günter, Franz, Mary, Anita, Hary, Walter, Mila, Juan Carlos, Mayumi, and with a special mention to my dear and sadly departed friend, Tony Neumeister.
Crystal Cruises | Astrid y Gastón | Zazil | Jardín | Suspiro