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Executive Profile , Martin A. Gonzalez

Born and reared in Mexico, Martin A. Gonzalez developed a fondness for international travel while attending the University of Arizona.

After brief visits to Belgium and France, he then traveled to Italy, where he was told that enrolling in cooking classes would be a quick and fun way to learn Italian. He found that to be true, but he also found a new career path.

“I had another motivation for going to culinary school,” he said. “I had friends in Tucson (Ariz.) who wanted me to invest in their restaurant businesses, but I didn’t know anything about the industry, so I thought this would be a good way to find out.”

While attending Instituto Culinario Apicius in Florence, Italy, Gonzalez studied with Stefano Innocenti, chef at Acqua al 2, which opened in that city in 1978.

Innocenti is a general partner in the Florence eatery. Learning the secrets of Italian meal preparation and cooking techniques, Gonzalez felt himself drawn to the restaurant industry and was named the culinary school’s “Best Student.” He continued working with Innocenti and gained the licensing rights to establish locations in the United States, starting with San Diego’s Acqua al 2.


RESUME

Job title and company name: Chef/owner Acqua al 2 in the Gaslamp Quarter.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of Arizona. Culinary arts degree from Instituto Culinario Apicius, Florence, Italy.

Birthplace and date: Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico; Aug. 27, 1974.

Residence: San Diego.

Family: Wife, Cecilia, and two daughters, Luisa Maria, 2, and Cecilia, 5.


BUSINESS PHILOSOPHY

Essential philosophy about being in the restaurant industry: To give every one of my clients the most positive, memorable experience possible.

The secret to success in this business: Consistency and integrity.

Chief goals achieved: Owning an award-winning restaurant for six years.

Goals aiming for: Continuing to grow my business, building new clientele and, in the future, I plan to open more restaurants. We’re currently looking for a second location for Acqua al 2 in San Diego.


JUDGMENT CALLS

Best career decision: Taking a risk and choosing to build my business in the Gaslamp Quarter back in 2000 before Petco Park and other new developments began sprouting up. Today, I feel I have one of the best locations in town.

Toughest management task: Firing an employee.

Opportunity knocked when: While studying for my culinary arts degree in Italy, I became friends with my teacher and future partner, Chef Stefano Innocenti of the original Acqua al 2 in Florence. We entered into an agreement to open an international Acqua al 2 location in San Diego, the only Italian restaurant in the city with a sister location in Florence, Italy.

Business mentor: Stefano Innocenti.

I’ve been told I’m: Driven.


TRUE CONFESSIONS

The best thing about what I do is: Making my customers happy by pleasing the palette with truly authentic Italian cuisine. I love that I’m helping to introduce my customers to the authenticity and customs of bona fide Italian dining.

What I like least about running a restaurant is: Nothing, I love every aspect of it.

Pet peeve: When people lie.

Person I’d most like to meet: I find that it is almost always a pleasure to meet people, no matter who they are or what they do.

Most-respected competitors: Although they are not direct competitors, I would say David and Leslie Cohn.

Greatest passions away from work: Singing opera arias and cycling.

If I had it to do all over I’d: Do it again!


PREDILECTIONS

Favorite saying: Treat every person as if they were God.

The kind of books I like to read: I would love to have time to read.

Favorite vacation spot: Anywhere in Europe, but I would like to visit China.

If I could have any car in the world it would be: Aston Martin DB9, midnight blue with a brown leather interior.

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