by: John Rodriguez
He’s was only 22-years-old and was already an executive chef at a Westchester restaurant, for Kelvin Fernandez this is just one of many accomplishments he has received at just a young age. A Long Island City High School and Careers Through Culinary Arts Program (C-Cap) graduate, Fernandez has accomplished more than any other individual at his age.
Although his father is chef, Fernandez foray into the culinary arts happen by chance when his high-school sweet heart asked him to join her in taking a cooking class. It was during this class he realized he had a talent within the kitchen. With this discovery, Fernandez soon enrolled into C-Cap and from there onward he was on his way to becoming a future culinary powerhouse.
After graduating he worked a the Water’s Edge in Long Island City under Michelin star chef Geogre Masraff who help shaped Fernandez’s skill into shape. “He made me the chef that I am today,” said Fernandez about Masraff’s influence, “He was tough, and he could be mean, but he always expected better for me. And that made me expect better from myself.”
Aside from his training, Fernandez accredits his work ethic as being a part of his current success, “I think since I started out at such a young age, I worked extra hard to prove myself. I knew where I wanted to get, and I got on the fast track to getting there.” Now at 26, Fernandez is the executive chef at The Strand American Bistro located at the Strand Hotel on W. 37th St.
Currently at The Strand American Bistro, Fernandez is in charge of overseeing the kitchen within the main dining room along with Top of the Strand which is the hotel’s rooftop bar. Room service and two conference rooms are also under Fernandez’s watch. “We have four guys and a dishwasher, but we’re a team, and we get it done.” said Fernandez commenting on his staff who followed him from previous jobs.
While his culinary career is rising, he also received minor recognition when he appeared on a recent episode of Food Network’s Chopped on August 9th. And while he came in second, Fernandez isn’t letting his newly discovered fame as a rising celebrity chef get to him, “The past few years have been extremely humbling. I just remind myself why I do what I do, and that’s because I love feeding people, I love having the ability to brighten their moods. I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of that.”
People may enjoy eating his food, Fernandez still prefers for someone else to cook for him, “Growing up in a Dominican household, I was used to traditional Spanish food. But I studied under French and American chefs. I still make my mom cook for me when I go home.”
