Sunday, May 18, 2014

Tribute To Milwaukee's Renown Mexican Cuisine Chef "Pepe" Mendieta

Jose "Pepe" Gonzalez Mendieta

Mendieta was diagnosed with only months to live, HNNUSA has learned.

By H. Nelson Goodson
May 18, 2014

Milwaukee, WI - On Saturday, Hispanic News Network U.S.A. (HNNUSA) has learned that doctors have given renown Mexican Cuisine Chef Jose "Pepe" Gonzalez Mendieta, 81, less than six months to live due to an illness. We hope, retired Chef Mendieta can out live the doctors. HNNUSA would like to give out a shout out to Mendieta, recognize his accomplishments and the following is a well earned tribute for introducing Mexican cuisine (gourmet) style of cooking in Milwaukee, especially in the state of Wisconsin.
Mendieta operated El Rey Sol restaurant with his former wife, Chef Elvira Prado, 60, and family in Milwaukee's South side and specialized in Mexican cuisine foods.
Mendieta has been a chef for more than 50 years and served as a chef for several Mexican presidents before living in California and then moving to Milwaukee. He retired in 2008. 
For years, Mendieta published articles during El Día de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead. In Latin American, the Day of the Dead is celebrated in remembrance of relatives and their earthly habits and food they liked to consume while they lived. 
In 2001, Mendieta suffered a back injury and had to temporarily close El Rey Sol. In 2004, Citlali Mendieta-Ramos, Jose's daughter opened La Antigua Restaurant at 5800 block of W. Burnham St. in West Allis. Her husband, Nicolas Ramos, the Chef and owner of La Antigua along with Citlali, also an owner and catering director operate the restaurant. 
La Antigua serves contemporary Mexican, Latin American and Spanish foods as a specialty.
Today, Chef Elvira Prado continues to cook at La Antigua.

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