SANDRA ORTIZ

Culinary Operations Manager

Born and raised in Santa Ana, El Salvador, Chef Sandra Ortiz brings warmth and vibrancy to every kitchen she leads. She earned a degree in Public Accounting from the Universidad de El Salvador before immigrating to the United States in 2008.  Sandra’s very first job in American, as a prep and salad cook, sparked something unexpected. As she prepped vegetables and was invited to contribute creatively, she felt the same joy she’d known cooking at home. Determined to advance, she took English courses to make it in the States and committed herself to growing her side job initially started because she “liked to cook” into a career.

From 2009 to 2016, she worked in hotel functions and banquets, creating new menus every week and discovering how much she loved the creative process. In 2017, a referral brought her to Maverick Hospitality, where she joined the team at Lucy’s American Tavern. Her consistent talent, discipline, and leadership style carried her from prep cook to Sous Chef in 2020, and to Executive Chef in 2022.

Since then, she was promoted into her current role as Culinary Operations Manager, where she oversees the culinary teams at Lucy’s and Chubbs. Sandra is known for her technical skill and creativity, and for the way she teaches with patience, motivates her team, and always shows up with a glimmer in her eyes.

Favorite appetizer on the menu: Nachos (if I order them I have to eat them all!)

Last Binged TV Show: Hell’s Kitchen

Go to Maverick Spot: The patio at Lucy’s with an El Jefe Margarita