Meet Jimmy Matiz | Chef Consultant and founder of Matiz Catering

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jimmy Matiz and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jimmy, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I was born in Bogotá, Colombia. Since I was a young kid I liked working with my hands, I enjoyed watching my mom cook and was always curious about all the ingredients specially fish. At the time my parent didn’t think of me being a Chef, and it wasn’t until I started traveling the world that both my parents and I realized that my passion really had a bright future.

I was always supported on my culinary journey, but back in 2010, at least in Colombia, being a Chef was not seen as a real career but more of a fantasy portrayed in movies, there was no way that cooking food, one could be financially stable and feel fulfilled in life. After graduating from Culinary Arts in Colombia I went for a hospitality management diploma in Vancouver, where I worked for four years mainly at a historic private club where I put all my efforts to learn from amazing Chefs that trained at Michelin Star restaurants. I felt like I was given an opportunity that many people in my country don’t have and I made the best of it.

The experience and growth I had was incredible for only being there a few years, but thats when I realized that food is as rich and complex as every country in the world, so I had not choice but to keep traveling learning what the world is about through food. I visited many countries throughout the years and had the chance to work at Michael Mina (San Francisco, 1 Michelin star) and El Celler de Can Roca (Girona, Spain. 3 Michelin Stars).

After that I settled in LA for its ever growing inclusive food culture and the amazing products we can work with. I feel lucky to have been able to see the world and life from different angles because it has made me grow as a Chef and as a person in ways that I could have not ever imagined.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
At some point in my career, I felt the need to engage with my guests, the need to interact with them at a personal level was what I needed for a time in my life where days were feeling monotonous. Sending hundreds of dishes out to the dinning room and only seeing a table number really got to me. So I decided to take the big risk, leave a promising job, coveted by many, to go on my own and put my dishes in front of guests myself.

I founded Matiz Catering, specializing in private dinning and small group catering(under 50 guests), to bring the restaurant to my clients and cook great food for people, not for tickets. Don’t get me wrong! I have plans to open restaurants, but the inspiration that comes to me with every private dining experience is something I can’t explain. The perfect combination of flavors, aromas and good drinks, paired with an excellent team that wants to be there and make everybody have a great time is what keeps us going.

We curate the entire menu, design the printed menus, carefully select the tableware, consider allergies, the client’s favorite cuisine, the kind of celebration and everything in between. At the end you have a unique, creative and personal experience that will always be different from the one before. I like to play with modern techniques, artful plating and surprise my guests with exotic and luxurious ingredients; but always staying true to good enjoyable food.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
As a total fan of Colombian Coffee I would definitely start with Tierra Mia coffee shop. There are different locations and are expanding, but its Latino owned and has some of the best coffee and pastries I’ve had.

As far as tourist attractions definitely check out the classic spots like The Griffith Observatory, LA county museum of Art and The Santa Monica Pier. But feel free to explore other places not always featured on the the touristic guides, I have learned first hand, that the best times are where the locals go. You get to meet new people, eat some street food and see what the city is about from the locals themselves.

Visit one of the many delicious mexican food places everywhere both as restaurants and street food (Specifically Angel’s Tacos in LA and La Chancla in Long Beach), Korea town, The Grand Central Market in LA or if you’re feeling fancy try to get a reservation to Bestia restaurant with at least one week in advance.

If you are visiting LA county and have a special celebration let us know! We will create a dedicated menu to bring the best of the seasonal produce and local products to your table, as a tasting menu, family style or passed appetizers party.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There have been many Chefs in my career that have been part of my success. I’ve had quite a few mentors that have taken the time and have had the patience to teach me and guide me on my path. The restaurant industry is known to be hostile, full of adrenaline and stress; so for those that have gone the extra mile and believed in me, I want to share my gratittude to Jeremy Keighley, Adam Johnson, Robbie Robinson, Adam Sobel, Michael Mina, Elliot Drew, Tushar Tondvalkar and Hernan Luchetti

Website: www.matizcatering.com

Instagram: @matizcatering