Chef Salinas Bio

Chef Juan Salinas

Chef Juan Salinas’ passion for cooking began at a very early age. When he was just a young boy, Juan Salinas would watch intently as his mother shared the secrets of authentic Mexican cuisine. Surrounded by an abundance of fresh, natural ingredients and under the influence of some of the world’s most acclaimed international chefs, he honed his culinary skills and began his career in the food industry when he was 16 years old.

He spent the next few years perfecting his craft at some of the best hotels and restaurants in Mexico. In 1992, he decided to move to Toronto where he completed his culinary education at George Brown College. A few years later, Salinas was invited by restaurateur Peter Oliver and caterer Peter Carruthers to appear as a Celebrity Chef at the Canadian National Exhibition’s feature on Mexican food and culture. Since then, Salinas has contributed his skills to some of the most renowned restaurants and catering companies in Toronto. He has also gained national recognition as the very personable Sous-chef on the Food Network’s Christine Cushing Live.

Today, he is the Chef at Toronto’s Cheese Boutique and has become one of Canada’s leading ambassadors of Latino cuisine. Salinas also runs an exclusive catering company, DeJuan, acts as a food consultant, and instills a love of cooking as an instructor of innovative Mexican and international cuisine.