Chefs Share Their Perfect Father’s Day & Recipes

After celebrating mom, it’s now dad’s turn for a day off. Here, chefs and dads Aarón Sánchez, Jose Garces, Julian Medina, and Dionicio Jimenez describe what they’re most looking forward to on Father’s Day.

For American chef, restaurant owner, and Iron Chef Jose Garces, Father’s Day is already all planned out.

“My perfect Father’s Day would be spent at home in Philly with my family,” says Garces. “Since I usually begin my day by making breakfast for the kids, it would probably start with a hearty meal of eggs, sausage and pancakes for them and a banana and oatmeal for me,” he continues.

Everyone loves a day off here and there, and Garces is no exception. Whether he is at the farm or with his family around town, he finds plenty to do when he’s not working. “It’s great to have a day off to spend with my family. We live right near the Philadelphia Museum of Art, so I take my kids there all the time, they love it,” he says of his two children, Olivia, 10 and Andres, six, who keep him very busy.

Garces also has a family drive planned to Luna Farm in Buck’s County, which is a quick hour drive from home. “I love going to there with my family and our dog Luna because we can spend the day outdoors playing ball, picking fresh vegetables for our dinner, and grilling,” says Garces.

“My kids are great at helping out and they are absolutely a part of the kitchen!” says Garces. “One of our favorite things to cook together is empanadas, which my grandmother, Mamita Amada, taught me how to make,” he says of continuing the tradition with his own family.

Garces considers himself to be a dedicated, fun-loving and easygoing dad, who like any parent, is watching his kids grow up in the blink of an eye. “My biggest piece of advice would be don’t sweat the small stuff,” says Garces, “I’m constantly reminded that it’s important to appreciate all the moments we have together because they grow up so fast.”

Whether he is cooking breakfast with his kids or helping them with their homework, Garces is a hands on dad who like any father, is looking forward to spending Father’s Day with his kids.

Up next, we chat with Dionicio Jimenez…

Like Garces, Dionicio Jimenez, Executive Chef at El Rey in Philadelphia, can’t wait to spend his Father’s Day outside with his family.

“If the weather is nice, I like to spend as much time outdoors as I can,” says Jimenez. “This year, I’m hoping to go to a Phillies game or go on a hike at a national park with my daughters.”

Jimenez has two girls, ten-year-old Lesley and six-year-old Amy. “Lesley is loving and very protective of her sister. She always helps Amy with her homework and assumes the responsibilities of a big sister,” says Jimenez of his oldest daughter. “Amy, on the other hand, is a bit stronger in attitude and is very competitive. She loves to take karate lessons.”

Both of Jimenez’s daughters love to help him in the kitchen, which the proud father loves. “They are really good cooks,” he says of the girls. “We cook almost every weekend and look forward to spending that time in the kitchen, cooking Italian, which is one of their favorite cuisines,” he continues.

Lesley and Amy have also helped their father with cooking demonstrations. Jimenez hopes that their culinary passion will continue to remain an important part of their lives. “My wife and I raise our girls to be independent. As a Dad, I think I’m generous, kind and funny, that’s why I’m best friends with my girls,” says Jimenez, who encourages other dads to be a friend to their children first, before being a father.

Up next, we chat with Julian Medina…

All chef Julian Medina needs to enjoy Father’s Day is a little R&R and time with his family.

“I definitely plan on enjoying my day off,” says Medina. “I will probably be at the gym, then cook something for my family and play with the kids,” he continues. Medina’s daughter, Olivia may only be five and a half years old, but she knows her way around the kitchen.

“Olivia likes to help me prep while I cook, she is very hands on,” says Medina. “She even wears her chef coat and apron too.” Like any kid, Olivia likes to crack the eggs when she and Medina make taquito de huevo, a dish that is one of their favorites.

Medina describes himself as a fun, caring and loving dad, whose advice to fellow father’s is simple: to live and love your kids, all day every day, like it was your last day.

Up next, we chat with Aarón Sánchez…

Aarón Sánchez is a man of many talents. He is a chef, restaurant owner, TV personality, but first and foremost, he is a father.

“I can’t wait to spend Father’s day with my son,” says Sánchez. “Picking up my son in the morning, having a great brunch just the two of us, going to the park and walking around museums or taking him to play. I’d want to spend all day with him, then tuck him into bed,” he says of his idea of a perfect day. 

When Sánchez is not working in the kitchen, he takes full advantage of any time off by sleeping in, working out, and spending time with family and friends. Yuma, his two-year-old son, is always keeps Sánchez on his toes. “He’s like a mini me, he’s got a ton of energy and is always on the go. He’s fearless yet sensitive. He’s a great kid,” says Sánchez.

With Aarón Sánchez as your dad, you will most likely be introduced to the kitchen at an early age. “Yuma hasn’t worked in the kitchen with me yet, he’s a little too young for that, but he does have a kids kitchen that he like to play with,” says Sanchez.

When his son if of age, Sanchez hopes to teach him how to cook sopa seca, a Mexican noodle dish that was special to his childhood. “I used to have sopa seca all the time when I was young, it still reminds me of my childhood,” says Sánchez. “In being a loving, dedicated, accepted father, I hope my son Yuma will enjoy his childhood as well,” he continues.

Although it can be tough sometimes, Sánchez has one piece of advice for all parents, especially fathers. “Let your children find their own way and be there to support and listen to them,” he says. “That makes all the difference.”

Get into the spirit of the holiday with Sánchez’s recipe for Sopa Seca.

Sopa Seca