Aaron Sanchez

Aarón Sánchez is an award-winning chef, TV personality, author, and philanthropist. He is the host and executive producer of Talking Sabor (PepsiCo’s first ever streaming series, premiered on Hulu), El Toque de Aarón on Discovery Familia and Hogar de HGTV, served as a longtime judge on FOX’s MasterChef and MasterChef Junior, and is the chef/owner of restaurant Johnny Sánchez in New Orleans. Aarón is the founder of the Aarón Sánchez Impact Fund. He is also a partner and creative director for COCINA Media.

Aarón has starred in multiple Food Network shows, notably as a judge on Chopped and Chopped Junior, and as the host of Cooking Channel’s Emmy-nominated series Taco Trip. He has hosted Spanish-language shows including 3 Minutos con Aarón, MOTOCHEFS, and most recently, El Sabor de Aarón on Discovery, where he also served as executive producer.

A third-generation cookbook author, Aarón has written two cookbooks — La Comida del Barrio and Simple Food, Big Flavor — and a memoir, Where I Come From: Life Lessons From A Latino Chef. He also co-hosts a podcast, Cooking in Mexican from A to Z, on Heritage Radio Network with his mom, Zarela Martinez.

Aarón is chef/partner of restaurants Johnny Sánchez (New Orleans and Lake Charles), Showbird (New Orleans), and Adobo Cantina (West Virginia University and Tarleton State University).

His passion extends beyond the kitchen. He is a partner in world-renowned tattoo shop and museum Daredevil Tattoo in New York City. He is an avid music lover who enjoys cooking to the sounds of Portugal the Man, Shakey Graves, Café Tacvba, Alabama Shakes, Tank and The Bangas, Amos Lee, Lianne La Havas, and Lenny Kravitz.  

He has a son, Yuma, and lives in New Orleans, LA.