Send us a text Season 11 continues with a story that blends tradition, determination, and the pursuit of flavour. From the heart of Mexico to Dubai’s shores, Chef Sergio Hernández Ruiz has built his career one kitchen and one lesson at a time. Now the Chef de Cuisine at Tamoka, Sergio brings Latin warmth, coastal soul, and bold creativity to every plate. In this episode, he opens up about growing up in a small town, discovering his calling through Iron Chef America, and pushing himself from humble beginnings to leading one of Dubai’s most loved beachfront restaurants. It’s a story about finding purpose through perseverance and staying true to your roots while inspiring a team to dream bigger. 🎧 What You Will Hear In This Episode • Childhood memories and Sunday lunches in Mexico • Street food culture and flavors that shaped his cooking • Leaving home at 17 to study culinary arts • First professional experiences at St. Regis Mexico • Overcoming self-doubt and building confidence in the kitchen • Moving to Dubai and joining W The Palm • Finding his place at Tamoka and leading the pre-opening • The evolution of Latin-American cuisine in the UAE • Leadership, mentorship, and building a motivated team • His dream collaborations and advice for young chefs Proudly Brought to You By Potatoes USA Potatoes USA represents America’s potato growers and inspires chefs, home cooks, and food lovers around the world. From nutrition to creativity, they remind us why the humble potato is one of the most powerful ingredients in every kitchen. Follow them: Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/potatogoodnessgcc/ Website – https://www.potatogoodnessgcc.com 👨🍳 Follow Sergio Hernández Ruiz Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zesergio_hrdxb LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ze-sergio-hernandez-ruiz-b79488125/ 📲 Follow Chef JKP Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chefjkppodcast/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-knight-paccheco-447b1b17/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jamesknightpaccheco 🎙️ Chapters 00:00 Introduction 03:00 Growing up in Mexico and Sunday lunch memories 07:00 Discovering a love for food and culinary school days 12:00 First jobs and lessons from St. Regis Mexico 18:00 Overcoming criticism and finding motivation 21:00 Moving to Dubai and joining W The Palm 30:00 Joining Tamoka and the pre-opening journey 39:00 Ceviche bar, grill concept, and creative process 46:00 Building the menu and working with local produce 53:00 Leading a team and creating a positive kitchen culture 1:00:00 Dreams, mentorship, and what’s next for Tamoka 1:09:00 Quick fire and final reflections Support the show Follow The Chef JKP Podcast on Instagram HERE
