Taste
CUISINE
CHEF CONVERSATIONS In the kitchen with Ivan Jacobo of Anhelo
Chef Ivan Jacobo is the executive chef at Anhelo (formerly Hidden Kitchen), a community restaurant born out of his uber-popular supper clubs that serves contemporary American cuisine. His mission, beyond delivering amazing food, is to use his restaurant to help elevate others via charitable fundraising, providing educational opportunities for culinary students and more.
BY ALISON BAILIN BATZ / PHOTO BY ELIZABETH MARIE
When did you first step into a kitchen? To do more than eat? That would be on my first day of culinary school in 2009 at age 18. How is that possible? I come from a very traditional Mexican household – my mother was the CEO of our kitchen. That meant the rest of us stayed out. But in high school, I loved both watching the Food Network and working on cars, so I decided to study one as my career. I literally asked a group of girls at school who they would rather date – a mechanic or chef – and chef won. Tell us about your early days in the kitchen? To make extra money during culinary school, I began working under chef Steven Maynard at Verrado Country Club. We clicked. I eventually left school to take an opportunity in San Francisco, then moved back when Maynard asked me to be his sous chef at Tempo Urban Bistro in 2014. When did you first decide to go out on your own? In 2015, I launched my own food truck: 319 The Truck. “319” is March 19, which is the first day I ever cooked. We had tremendous success until we were the victims of a horrific car crash, decimating business during high season in 2016. So, I began doing pop-up dinners across the Valley. By late 2018, we were selling them out in four minutes flat, often with proceeds helping local charities. Tell us about Anhelo: Our goal is to bring people together at our community table for “Sunday Supper” types of culinary experiences, with the goal of getting folks to put down their phones and enjoy time with food, friends and us. I also have a second goal: to help people through food. Literally. I am going to offer culinary scholarships with a portion of funds we make from our restaurant, as well as to give back to local nonprofits through fundraising dinners. Why the name change? “Anhelo” means “wanting,” “desiring” or “longing” in Spanish. We want for you to desire to spend time with us, wanting all of our food and longing to come back. Anhelo, 628 E. Adams St., Phoenix; 602.596.7745; www.anhelorestaurant.com.
Uptown May ‘19
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