Richard Sandoval: restaurant maestro

Contrary to expectations, executive chef Richard Sandoval more closely resembles a tennis pro than an owner/co-owner of more than 25 restaurants and four in the metro area. He is so lean and well toned that it’s hard to grasp he spends almost his entire life eating and cooking. For many foodies, he is really one lucky guy. That’s been the case for Sandoval’s entire life. A native of Mexico City, Sandoval reminisces about his childhood hours spent with his grandmother, sitting on the counter in her kitchen while she cooked and joining with the family at large get-togethers. “Our culture revolved around food,” he said. “On weekends, the family gathered around platters of food.”