An Interview With Laura Martinez The Chef Behind La Diosa

Although blind since she was a baby, Laura Martinez never let that stop her from becoming a chef. Martinez is a graduate of Le Cordon Bleu culinary school and in the past has worked with famed chef, Charlie Trotter. Recently, she has opened her own restaurant, La Diosa, in Lincoln Park. The Culture Trip interviewed Martinez to talk about her new restaurant and what inspires her in and out of the kitchen.

TCT: What inspired the name La Diosa for your restaurant?
LM: My faith and the strong belief in God inspired me to named the restaurant La Diosa — (it) is in honor of God.
TCT: What has been the most challenging thing in opening your own restaurant?
LM: The most difficult challenge to overcome about opening the restaurant was finding assistance, grants, and the right space.
TCT: What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given as a chef?
LM: The piece of advice I was given when I was in Le Cordon Bleu was to always put your last name up high. In other words, make it honorable not sinful.
TCT: How soon do you check your phone in the morning?
LM: I check my phone in the morning about six times.
TCT: What is your dream project?
LM: My dream project is to open two more restaurants — (one) in Miami and one in Mexico D.F.
TCT: What advice would you give your younger self?
LM: To never give up; don’t use any lazy excuses to go on.

TCT: What’s your pet peeve?
LM: I totally dislike when I hear people brag about themselves.
TCT: What would your last meal on earth be?
LM: My last meal would be very fine and expensive. Since (it) is my last, I want to eat the best.
TCT: If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, dead or alive, who would it be?
LM: I would love to have dinner with author Danielle Steel. I enjoy reading her novels.
TCT: What is your favorite restaurant?
LM: My Mother’s House — she makes amazing dishes!
TCT: What is the most memorable moment from your career?
LM: Being able to have the pleasure of working with Chef Charlie Trotter.
TCT: How would you like to be remembered?
LM: I want people to remember me with honor and respect because this is not easy.

TCT: If you weren’t a chef, what would you be doing?
LM: A famous surgeon or a psychologist.
TCT: If you opened up a fortune cookie, what would it say?
LM: Get ready for more obstacles and new challenges.
TCT: Tell us something no one knows about you?
LM: I love expensive perfumes.
TCT: What’s the first thing you do in the morning?
LM: The first thing I do in the morning is pray and then drink a huge hot cup of coffee.
TCT: If you could only bring three things to a desert island, what would they be?
LM: Three things I’d bring are a Braille Bible, a knife, a blanket.
TCT: How would you describe your restaurant?
LM: I would described my restaurant as the following: cozy, different and unique, almost like a bistro but not quite. The food is all created by my own inspiration and creations. I decided on the colors, menus and all the furniture. I wanted it to be unusual — not typical from everybody. I want my people to eat rich and fresh food, not frozen and flavorless. We serve breakfast, sandwiches and dinners all day long, so (it) is pretty much like an open menu theme. I say it is contemporary dining, not French or Mexican food either.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.