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 FeedDaily
Sep 27, 2023On This Cruise, You’re Guaranteed to See the Northern Lights or Your Second One’s Free
There’s no doubt the northern lights are awe-inspiring and spectacular. Unfortunately, they’re also fickle and fleeting, and despite your best-laid plans of checking this item off your bucket list, sometimes Mother Nature’s luminescent show just doesn’t cooperate. But one cruise line has a new fail-safe in place.
Sponsored Content
Dream a Little Dreamliner: Air Tahiti Nui Brings The Islands of Tahiti to the Air
From the moment you step onboard Air Tahiti Nui’s Tahitian Dreamliner, you will be transported to The Islands of Tahiti. The French Polynesian carrier considered every detail to awaken its passengers’ senses, creating the feeling you are already on the Islands while 30,000 feet in the air.
Daily
Sep 27, 2023Sail Away on Dream Yacht Worldwide’s Easy Crewed Expeditions
Think you need a degree in sailing to enjoy a yachting holiday? Dream Yacht Worldwide, a leader in yacht charters, wants you to relax and enjoy the journey. Newly expanded to include the British Virgin Islands, Martinique, Tahiti and the Seychelles, the "Easy Crewed” offered by Dream Yacht Worldwide also include charter options in Greece and Croatia.
Daily
Sep 27, 2023The Netherlands, Denmark Receive New UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2023
Two Scandinavian countries now boast a longer list of UNESCO World Heritage sites with the addition of five historic Viking-age ring fortresses in Denmark and a planetarium in Friesland, the Netherlands.
Sponsored Content
Fill Your Heart with Ireland
Whether it's the people, the craic (fun) or the coasts, travelers always find something to love about the island of Ireland. What fills your heart?
Daily
Sep 26, 2023Perelman Performing Arts Center Opens in New York
The Perelman Performing Arts Center (PAC NYC), the cultural cornerstone and final public element of the World Trade Center site, opened this September. The new performing arts center in Lower Manhattan provides a dynamic home for the arts, serving audiences and creators through flexible venues enabling the facility to embrace wide-ranging artistic programs.
4 Sweet Spots for Vintage Clothing Lovers
Daily
Sep 26, 2023Viking Polaris Canadian Discovery Review
eFlyer Reviews
Sep 26, 2023Explore the Beauty of North America by Rail in 2024
Daily
Sep 26, 2023eFlyer Deals
Sep 26, 2023Plan for a Christmas at Scotland’s Gleneagles
As September comes to an end, it’s never too early to plan your Christmas or winter trip. This winter, Gleneagles and its Edinburgh outpost, Gleneagles Townhouse, are proud to announce a full line-up of Christmas and New Year’s programming, as well as a special Christmas at Gleneagles offer.
Sponsored Content
IHG® Hotels & Resorts Introduces Effortless WiFi Connection for Guests Worldwide
IHG Hotels & Resorts is thrilled to announce the launch of a new mobile product feature for members: IHG Wi-Fi Auto Connect. This feature is now available exclusively in the IHG One Rewards mobile app for both iOS and Android users and will automatically connect IHG One Rewards members to WiFi upon arrival at more than 5,000 IHG hotels worldwide — no separate passwords or log-ins needed. This is in addition to the exciting benefits of being an IHG Business Edge member. IHG Business Edge provides small- and medium-sized businesses access to a user-friendly portal that displays comprehensive spending and savings data while providing the convenience of direct booking with a guaranteed discount.
eFlyer Deals
Sep 26, 2023Romance in Nanuku Resort Fiji
Indulge in a romantic getaway at Nanuku Resort Fiji thanks to the resort’s not one but four new romance offers. For that special proposal, choose from three proposal offers as part of the resort’s Marry Me Menu. The Island Paradise Proposal, In-Suite Escape Proposal and Giving Back the Love Proposal all see the resort help coordinate the perfect moment with special gifts.
ShareThis