Honoring National Hispanic Heritage Month: Alberto Trujillo

For Chef Alberto Trujillo, his Mexican-American heritage is a significant factor in the food he creates – and great things have happened from it in the central Texas community where he resides. For example, he used the flavors he loves to create bocadillo de jamon serrano y queso con tomate, which won a spot in Food Management‘s best sandwich awards. In addition, the new fruiteria concept featured in recent issues of Food Management and Foodservice Director magazines was the brainchild of Chef Alberto because of the happy memories he has with his family in a fruiteria in San Antonio.

Chef Alberto is a Senior Executive Chef for Chartwells Higher Ed at Texas State University in San Marcos, just north of San Antonio. His years of experience and passion inspire the team he leads – together they serve more than 10,000 meals daily and lend culinary expertise to other university campuses in south Texas. His culinary passion is reflected in the delicious food he creates and the joy he has serving the community.

He’s also a great coach; together with Sous Chef Arrianna Cruz, they host monthly Teaching Kitchens in the university’s LBJ Student Center, helping new students living on campus prepare simple meals in an easy, safe, and fun way. In March, he volunteered his time to feed more than 1,000 students as they worked to clean up the San Marcos River and town.

Chef Alberto’s success is no accident. He’ll tell you it’s tons of hard work, a dash of perseverance, and love of his Mexican-American heritage that motivates him every day.

“Although I’m a chef in charge of making food, my great-grandfather was a sharecropper who migrated from Mexico to Texas,” shares Chef Alberto. “So many people from my great-grandfather’s culture cultivated the land and produced a lot of the crops that we now rely on. Many struggles were endured to ensure that generations to come would have a better life.”

Adds Chef Alberto: “It’s important to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month, to continue to demonstrate the impact that Latinos have made in American culture and educate individuals who otherwise may have no idea!”