Michael Flores has a degree from the Culinary Institute of America. He graduated with
honors and completed an impressive internship with the world-renowned Chef Susan Spicer.
Still, his roots are cemented in classical cuisine and are as true as a hollandaise
and as deep as the simmering stockpots of his grandmothers’ kitchens. Flores
arrived on the San Antonio culinary scene with overflowing talent and enthusiasm. Almost
immediately, he became chef de cuisine at Polo’s at the Fairmont and subsequently,
executive chef at Barcelona’s Mediterranean Café, where recipes such as
Mediterranean Nachos and Crêpés Escargots became instant sensations. Soon
after, he opened Firewheel—a hip gourmet store and cooking academy. He has created meals
for the Napa Valley Wine Auction, for presidential cabinet members and has appeared as
guest chef aboard the Orient Express. He’s even had the honor of cooking at the
renowned James Beard House in New York City. Among the awards he has received, he was
honored with the coveted People's Choice Award at the nationally-acclaimed
Texas Hill Country Wine & Food Festival.
In this multi-cultural society, he has become an expert at exploring the richness of flavors,
aromas and presentation, which reflect his appreciation of peoples from all nationalities
and backgrounds. It is for this very reason that in November 2004, the Texas Department of
Agriculture named Flores a Rising Star Chef, referring to his unique style
of cuisine as “multi-cultural metropolitan.”
If that still weren’t enough, Flores is also an author. Fulfilling a life-long dream,
he published his first cookbook, titled My Family My Friends My Food: Recipes Celebrating
People and Life. Currently, he operates a successful catering company that provides the
best in culinary arts to clients across the nation and operates his own line of gourmet
products appropriately called “Chef Michael.” He is often invited as a guest
chef at charity galas and on various television and radio programs. His cuisine is
not only innovative and creatively presented, but also his personality draws in the crowds. He is an articulate and humorous
spokesman for his profession, and is warmly interactive with his patrons and audience.
Committed to community service, Flores founded Nutcracker Sweets, which benefited the Battered
Women’s Shelter of Bexar County. For this immensely successful fundraiser, he brought
together the talents of Texas chefs with those of nationally- and internationally-recognized
ones. Flores has been a spokesperson for the National Dairy Association, the Texas Department
of Agriculture, Nature Sweet Tomatoes, Mexican Avocados, Best Maid Pickles and Texas Shrimp.
Chef Flores resides in San Antonio, Texas, with his brother and business partner,
Tommy. Recently, one of Michael’s biggest accomplishments was launching a new project
called Learn Aboard!™—cooking classes on a Rio San Antonio Cruiser that sails
along the famous San Antonio River.
For more information, visit www.chefmichael.com.