Meet Jose Colin

From California to Culinary Excellence

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​I’m a California native, born and raised in the Bay Area. Growing up, food was the centerpiece of our lives; whether at family gatherings, Sunday meals, or celebrations. Those experiences sparked my passion for cooking and gave me an appreciation for how food connects people.

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I pursued that passion at the California Culinary Academy, which led me to an externship in New York City. There, I met celebrity chef Aarón Sánchez, who became a mentor and helped shape my love for authentic Mexican cuisine.

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Mentorship under World Class Chefs

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From there, I trained under world-class chefs including Aarón at Centrico and Daniel Boulud at Café Boulud, where I deepened my expertise in both Mexican and French cuisine. I later joined the Thomas Keller Restaurant Group, spending six years at The French Laundry, three of them as Sous Chef - honing discipline, leadership, and precision in a three Michelin Star kitchen.

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After leaving fine dining, I expanded into private events and high-profile dinners in the Bay Area. For nearly a decade, I served as a private chef for families in Palo Alto, designing tailored menus and supporting their unique lifestyles.

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Celebrating Flavor and Togetherness

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Today, I bring that same level of craft and care to my work as a personal chef in Metro Detroit. What I love about being a personal chef is the chance to connect directly with the people I’m cooking for, understanding their preferences, creating meals that fit their daily lives, and being part of the moments that matter most around the table. Unlike the high-pressure pace of restaurants, this work allows me to slow down, focus on a more personalized approach, and translate my fine-dining experience into food that feels approachable, comforting, and memorable. My journey has come full circle: from my mother’s kitchen in California to Michelin-starred restaurants, and now into homes where I can share what I love most - making meals that bring people together.