Laura Martínez, First Blind Chef to Open a Restaurant in the US

*This is a great story! Save it, share it. The next time you feel overwhelmed by the obstacles in your path, read it. And keep going. VL

By Brenda Storch, La Vitamina T

I  accidentally stumbled upon La Diosa (Spanish for “goddess”), a little café in Lincoln Park that I did not remember having seen before. I was first curious about the name, and since we had already had lunch, we decided to go in for dessert.

I had no idea that I was really in for a treat.

We were greeted by La Diosa‘s owner Laura Martínez, a young Mexican chef trained  at Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts. We exchanged pleasantries in Spanish (the restaurant had just opened in January). The pictures on the wall prompted more questions. I learned that Martínez honed her cooking skills while interning, and later working for Charlie Trotter. 

As if these accomplishments were not already impressive, [tweet_dis]Laura Martínez happens to be the first blind chef to open a restaurant in the US.[/tweet_dis]

The entire concept behind La Diosa, from the menu to the name, are both her idea and her dream.  Blinded as a baby, Martínez is convinced that her condition pushed her to succeed. “Being a chef was not the easiest path for anyone in my situation, and I did not want anybody to tell me that I was not able to do something. I am the only one in my family with a degree,” she said.

Her kitchen is completely open and pristine, and watching her prepare empanadas with great precision, is nothing short of amazing. Her husband,  Maurilio, doubles as both Martínez’s eyes and her sous chef. “Sometimes it can get frustrating, you wish you could see when it gets busy so that you can move faster,” she added.

Why La Diosa? Martínez said the name is a nod to her faith. As she spoke, I could not help but be reminded of her strength and resolve. Plus, if I could ever imagine of anyone embodying supernatural powers, it is her: Martínez  masterfully wields a knife without sight.

If you visit La Diosa, please say hi to chef Martínez from us. We recommend that you try her tequila-cheese pie or the flan. The hot chocolate is heavenly indeed.

La Diosa

2308 N. Clark St.

773-372-5559

Open hours:

8 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday

9 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday and Saturday

11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday  

This article was originally published in La Vitamina T.

Branda Storch will jump on any opportunity to say that she was born in the “Navel of the World”. This usually sparks curiosity and creates an excuse to talk about her favorite topic: Mexico. Mexico as her country, her city, her mother and father. Mexico as an endless suitcase brimming with alebrijes, rehiletes, querubines and organillero tunes, the chicharrones after school… the memories that spill out like cats into the streets of her childhood. Mexico as her mother’s easy smile and the intricate stories told by her grandma’s wrinkles. Mexico like a  rosary of images, sounds, flavors and colors that has become too heavy to carry around and too precious to trust to the mere shelves of memory.