skip to main content
Homaro Cantu
Homaro Cantu
01:09

Homaro Cantu

Moto Restaurant

Chicago, IL USA

"As long as you're passionate and can find your creative niche, there's nothing that you can't achieve. I know that sounds cliché and ridiculous, but this place [Moto] is living proof. The answers are out there, we just have to tap into that creative side."

Career Roadmap

Homaro's work combines: Food, Science, and Problem Solving

See more careers and stories that connect to your interests.

Take Roadmap Quiz

Day In The Life

Chef/Inventor

I use science and engineering to create postmodern cuisine and unique food delivery systems.

Skills & Education

Here's the path I took:

  • High School

  • Bachelor's Degree

    Culinary Arts/Chef Training

    Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts-Portland

Life & Career Milestones

My path in life has been direct

  • 1.

    Chef Cantu experiments with "futuristic" and modern foods, plays with the physics of food.

  • 2.

    Says any of the difficulties he's faced with his restaurant are nothing compared to the challenges of working for someone else.

  • 3.

    Grew up very poor, was homeless for some time; says when you "live a life of simplicity," you start wondering how you can solve problems.

  • 4.

    He had an interest in pyrotechnics, mechanics; he'd take apart something like a lawnmower and try to invent new things with the parts.

  • 5.

    Was working at a fast-food restaurant and living out of his car; a friend encouraged him to apply for culinary school.

  • 6.

    After graduating, he'd knock on the door of any and every restaurant and offer to work for free.

  • 7.

    Once he had enough experience, he flew to Chicago with no money, no place to stay, and convinced his hero, Chef Trotter, to hire him.

  • 8.

    Says even when he was working 18-hour shifts, he'd keep things interesting by inventing new gadgets and concepts on his own time.

Defining Moments

How I responded to discouragement

  • THE NOISE

    Messages from undefined:

  • How I responded:

Experiences and challenges that shaped me

Click to expand

  • I grew up in a very poor family, my mother, sister, and I were actually homeless for 3 years.