Chef Jose Fernandez joined The Peninsula Chicago team in June 2015, and since then he’s taken advantage of all the city of Chicago has to offer. It’s Fernandez’s passion: using organic, sustainable ingredients to incorporate local inspiration into healthy, delicious dining experiences.
© The Peninsula Chicago
In his role at The Peninsula Chicago, Executive Chef Fernandez oversees all culinary operations within the hotel, including three award-winning restaurants; banquets; The Bar; and 24-hour, in-room dining. Since its 2001 opening, The Peninsula Chicago’s restaurants, spa and 339 guestrooms and suites continue to receive accolades, including the AAA Five Diamond Award.
At only 16 years old, Fernandez embarked on his culinary career as commis de cuisine and chef de partie in small Michelin-starred restaurants in Barcelona. The Spanish-born Fernandez earned his degree from The Culinary School in Barcelona and worked at Hotel Arts Barcelona before bringing his talents stateside. Joining The Ritz-Carlton in 1997, he worked at properties in Laguna Niguel, Calif.; New York City; Tucson, Ariz.; and Pentagon City, Va.
What three go-to ingredients are always in your home kitchen?
Extra-virgin olive oil, bay leaves and garlic. And I always have dried chilies. In the spring and summer, we usually have a small lemon verbena plant — best sorbet ever!
What’s your favorite season for cooking, and why?
Spring and summer; I am from Spain and grew up by the Mediterranean Sea. The temperatures are mild compared to the United States, giving me the opportunity to showcase produce such as asparagus, potatoes, tomatoes and summer fruits like melons. After long winters, nothing is better than going to the farmers market on a spring or summer morning and seeing the bounty and color of fresh produce.
Aside from your current position, what’s the best job you’ve ever had?
If I look back at my career, I really enjoyed my time in New York. I spent many years in that city, where I learned a lot and had the opportunity to work for great chefs in wonderful restaurants.
What’s the first meal you ever cooked?
When I was 14 or 15 years old, I helped my mother and grandmother create a holiday family meal. We made classic Catalan cannelloni, Spanish ham and Manchego croquettes.
The Peninsula Chicago
108 E. Superior St.
Chicago, IL 60611
tel 312 337 2888
peninsula.com
Read This Next
Women in Travel
2016
Sep 22, 2016All Reads on This Topic
Read Them All
Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedApril 2026
Apr 19, 2026JW Marriott Atlanta Downtown Opens This Spring
This spring JW Marriott Atlanta Downtown debuts following a complete transformation of the former W Atlanta Downtown. The 237-room property will feature reimagined accommodations and public spaces, ushering in a new era of understated sophistication in downtown Atlanta.
Sponsored Content
Explora Journeys: A New Chapter In Luxury Ocean Travel
Sail Unique Explora Journeys continues to shape a new rhythm for luxury ocean travel, one guided by space, intention and a profound connection to the sea. Designed as a European luxury lifestyle experience, each journey feels less like a traditional cruise and more like time spent aboard a refined floating resort or superyacht whose home is the ocean.
April 2026
Apr 18, 2026PIT Becomes First Airport Certified for Universal Design
Pittsburgh International Airport has become the first transportation center and airport in the country to be awarded a Universal Design Certification from the University of Buffalo’s Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access. The certification recognizes the airport’s human-centered approach to design across the terminal, including strong performance in mobility access, wayfinding, lighting, sensory inclusion and intuitive navigation.
April 2026
Apr 17, 2026Sun, Sea, Cliffs and Bridges Beckon on the Pacific Coast Highway
On one side, waves breathe in and out across wide stretches of sand or explode against jagged rocks, sending spray shooting into the air. On the other side, the scenery changes: Cliffs rise like walls, vineyards clip past in neat rows, pine trees line the road. Between these, cities give way to small communities with art galleries, local restaurants and shops selling beachwear.
Sponsored Content
TAP FORBIZ: Empowering Business Travel for Every Enterprise
In today's global business landscape, travel isn’t just movement — it’s momentum. TAP FORBIZ, TAP Air Portugal’s premium corporate travel solution, is engineered to maximize that momentum across all types of businesses — from agile SMEs to global enterprises and orchestrated events.
Daily
Apr 17, 2026The Rise of Destination Hotels: 3 Luxurious Stays Worth a Visit
Booking a hotel typically comes after picking a destination. Some travelers treat it as a second thought or just a place to sleep. According to vacation platform Wander, however, more travelers are planning trips around a single property or hotel instead of the destination. So, we’ve rounded up three hotels around the world that serve as a destination in and of themselves.
Hilton Introduces Hilton AI Planner
Daily
Apr 17, 20262 Hotels Redefining the Purpose of a Hotel Lobby
Daily
Apr 16, 2026Daily
Apr 15, 2026Head to This Hotel in Madrid for Year-Long Cultural Offerings
The Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Madrid recently unveiled its 2026 cultural calendar. The announcement comes on the heels of the property’s extensive two-year renovation.
Sponsored Content
How To Enhance Your Mental and Emotional Wellness on the Road
Prioritizing Mental and Emotional Wellness While Traveling for Business Business travel opens doors to professional growth and new experiences — but a demanding schedule, time away from home and work pressures can affect mental wellness. According to a 2024 Gallup study, with more than half of the global workforce reporting disengagement, supporting wellness on the road is more important than ever. Below are practical ways to stay balanced and energized during business trips.
eFlyer Reviews
Apr 15, 2026Labombe by Trivet Review
In the heart of London’s prestigious Mayfair neighborhood and within COMO Metropolitan London is Labombe by Trivet, a relatively new restaurant and bar already making waves across London’s dining scene. I experienced firsthand why Labombe by Trivet has made a name for itself in the short time it’s been open.
ShareThis