At 43, Chef Jamie Molina has become one of the fine and respected creative chefs in the Bay Area. He’s the Executive Chef of Hotel Mac in Point Richmond, CA.
By Mary Swift Swan
Published: October, 2005
At 43, Chef Jamie Molina has become one of the fine and respected creative chefs in the Bay Area. He’s the Executive Chef of Hotel Mac in Point Richmond, CA.
Chef Jamie (pronounced ‘hey-me’) originally came from Culiacan, the capital of the state of Sinaloa along the northern Pacific Coast of Mexico. After Jamie’s mother divorced, she brought him, his brother and his two sisters to the United States. Jamie was 15.
Jamie went to high school and a month before he graduated, out of necessity to help out at home, he got a job washing dishes at the Hotel Mac in 1980.
Two and half years later, and six months before he married his wife, Gloria, Jamie began to do prep work. His responsibilities grew and soon he got the chance to cook. At the same time, his first son (now 21) was on the way.
To learn more about cooking Chef Jamie read a lot, watched videos and cooking shows, which he continues to do today. He nurtured his talent and became a chef.
When asked why cooking? Chef Jamie laughed. Then with a shrug he said, Because I loved to eat.
When in Mexico there were many times when there was not much, if anything, to eat. That is not something you forget. Then anything tastes good even if it was just a tortilla and a few beans. You’re just glad to have food.
Any food can taste good with care, but with imagination, good food can taste great. Jaime experiments at home and in the kitchen at Hotel Mac. He discusses new ideas and concepts with the other chefs. New, creative ideas are a group effort, and a diner’s delight.
It’s the family atmosphere that keeps Chef Jamie with the Hotel Mac. There is a great deal of energy and support among the chefs and crew with Chef Jamie running the kitchen.
Chef Jamie’s family at home has also grown. He and Gloria have raised two sons and a daughter. In addition, last year, Jamie became a US Citizen. I waited, partly because I was busy, and partly from being afraid of the test. But, it was time. I studied and last year, I did it. I passed! I was very happy to become a US Citizen and proud of myself.
Hotel Mac is proud of Jamie, too. People respect and appreciate the man and his talent. It shows in people’s eyes, as they smile when they say his name.
