Besides being an innovative food restaurateur, Jesus Gonzalez is known as a motivator and mentor, and for his impact on young entrepreneurs. The Milwaukee native is one of a handful of Culinary Institute of America graduates in the region and started his first business, Mazorca Tacos, in 2017.
One of his food industry peers says, “He always believes in others and reminds us how capable we are.”
CLOSER LOOK
• Word that best describes you? Advocate
• What was your first job? “I was in first grade when my sister recruited me to help her excel in the fundraiser our school did annually with the World’s Finest Chocolate. The compensation for success in selling the highest number of chocolate bars was time on the bike.”
• Go-to person when you need help? “To most people, I’m Jesus, but to my family, I’m Chuy. They constantly remind me of my purpose.”
• Person you would most like to meet? Giannis Antetokounmpo
• Something about you that would surprise people? “When asking Carmen (my mother), she replied ‘your disobedience.’”
• Who’s your mentor? Sean Phelan
• Your favorite film? “Stand and Deliver” by Edward James Olmos. Extremely thankful to Mrs. Hessling for showing us that film at Nativity Jesuit Middle School in 2005 because it taught us that where we were going in life was not going to be determined by where we come from. All we need are ‘GANAS.’”
• Who would play you in a movie about your life? Dan Gonzalez
• What are you currently reading, or what’s your favorite type of book? “Anything that teaches me a new perspective.”
• Favorite saying or word? “Todo tiene solucion, menos la muerte. While interning in Irun, Spain, my sous chef’s mantra which he instilled in us was that every obstacle has a solution, unless you encounter death.”
• Favorite type of music? “My father’s collection of records. I later learned that it was one of the few possessions he traveled with as he later made his way to Milwaukee. ”
• Favorite app? Cashdrop
• Best stress release? “Experiencing a Cacao Ceremony at Botanica Galactica”
• What you want to be doing in 10 years? “I want to open an innovative health center which would contain a dental program lead by my brother Jose Antonio Gonzalez.”
• Favorite hobby? “Working on my movie script”
• What song would you pick if you had to sing karaoke? “Just a Friend” by Biz Markie
• What is on the top of your bucket list? “Perform inside the New York subway train.”
• What would you tell your teenage self? “When something doesn’t go as expected, accept it and move on.”
• Why did you choose to live in Milwaukee and what keeps you here? “My parents immigrated to Milwaukee in the late 1970s. Recently, Milwaukee has been going through a renaissance and I want to plant a seed and be around to see our harvest.”
• What’s one change you would make to improve Milwaukee? “We need to keep our talent in Milwaukee.”
• Describe Milwaukee in three words — Fertile, loyal, progressive.
• Most pressing issue facing the Milwaukee area? “Less talk, more action”
• What can Milwaukee leaders do to attract the 40 under 40 winners from other cities? “Buy them a plane ticket and have them experience Milwaukee at Zocalo Food Park.”
• If you were going join the cast of a reality show, which would you pick? “Shark Tank”
• What are your top goals for 2020? “Mental Health. Focus on the fourth chakra.”
• Other profession you’d like to try? Architect, filmmaking.
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