By John Marchioro, Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Rehabilitation (DHS/DRS)
In January 2015, chef Laura Martinez’s dream came true at the opening of her very own restaurant, La Diosa, which means “The Goddess.” Located in Chicago’s affluent Lincoln Park District, La Diosa’s menu is a fusion of Mexican and French cuisine inspired by her family, her mentor Charlie Trotter, and her training at Le Cordon Bleu in Chicago. In fact, Martinez is believed to be the first blind chef to open her own restaurant in the United States.
Martinez, who has been blind since infancy, has always had a passion for cooking. She remembers from a very early age being side by side with her mother Josefina as she was cooking. She remembers the smells and the texture of the food as she helped her.
Martinez was initially referred to DRS through Moline High School. DRS staff provided assistance to her through The Illinois School for the Visually Impaired (ISVI). After high school, Martinez moved to Iowa, but then came back to Chicago to pursue her passion for cooking. Martinez knew that she would need vocational assistance in order to make her dreams a reality, so she contacted the Chicago Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired and was referred back to DRS for assistance with vocational training and job placement.
DRS Counselor Juan Ortiz helped Martinez get started by working with her to develop a career plan that focused on culinary skills. Says Ortiz, “From the very first time I met Laura she was just so determined. You just knew she was going to be very successful.” DRS provided the funding for Martinez to attend culinary training at Le Cordon Bleu, College of Culinary Arts in Chicago, Illinois. This training eventually led to Martinez being hired by former world-renowned chef Charlie Trotter. Once Martinez was hired, DRS provided a personal assistant to help her orient to her new surroundings, tools, and other assistive technology to assist her with being successful in her career.
Martinez, though, always wanted to start her own business. So when Charlie Trotters closed down in 2012, she started on her quest to open La Diosa. Martinez reconnected with DRS Counselor Ortiz, as well as Ken Fogaty, former director of the Illinois Small Business Developmental Center (SBDC). SBDC worked with Martinez on the business plan and securing some grants and loans, while DRS assisted with counseling and guidance and funding assistance to purchase initial stock and supplies, tools equipment and initial rental assistance. And while there were several challenges along the way, Martinez kept persistent and focused on her goal and opened La Diosa, 2308 N. Clark St., on Jan. 16, 2015.
Martinez speaks highly of the SBDC and their assistance with helping her to develop her business plan as well as the assistance through DRS. Says Martinez, “DRS has given me the opportunity to develop my skills and knowledge to the best of my ability. I am also more independent economically and personally.”
Martinez has not forgotten those that have significantly influenced her throughout her life. In fact, one of her signature menu items, fried chicken and potato gratin, was the dinner she prepared the day that the late Charlie Trotter observed her and subsequently hired her. Martinez’s husband, Maurilio, will be part of the La Diosa crew as well as (you guessed it) Martinez’s mother, Josefina. Side by side, just like when she was a young girl.
To learn more about the services for people who are blind or visually impaired from DRS’s Bureau of Blind Services, call 1-877-761-9780 Voice, 1-866-264-2149 TTY, or 312-957-4881 VP.
Photo courtesy of Illinois Department of Human Services