
Daniel Bojorquez grew up in a small town called Sonora just south of the Arizona
border. As a young boy he spent much time with his grandmother who
was a wonderful cook. He would grind the corn and mix the dough for
tortillas, which his grandmother would then press and cook. His
grandmother also raised chickens and ducks to feed the family. Many
of their family friends were farmers and Daniel recalls always being
surrounded with baskets of citrus fruits, beans, tomatoes, grapes,
papayas, persimons, nectarines and tamarind, which friends
were always sharing with them. It is in these early years that the
seeds were planted for Daniel's love of food and cooking.
After living for a year on a ranch, where he hunted wild game and made
cheese from scratch, Daniel knew he wanted to make cooking his career.
He went to the Culinary Institute of Puebla in Mexico City where he
studied cuisines of the world with a focus on classical and
contemporary French cooking.
Following his graduation, Daniel moved to Boston where he worked at
Upstairs on the Square and Aquitaine. Following, Daniel also received high praise for his culinary leadershipas executive chef of Masa. He also gained experience as an apprentice under chefs Charlie Trotter and Rick Tramonto before finding his way to the
kitchen at L'Espalier. Daniel's culinary talents exploded under the
tutelage of Chef Frank McClelland. McClelland taught Daniel the
finest techniques of contemporary French cooking married with the
seasonal bounties of New England foods. Daniel recalls spectacular
Spring creations like Shad Roe with morel mushrooms and ramps. He
also learned an even greater appreciation for food by growing herbs,
lettuces, radishes and more on the rooftop garden at L'Espalier. He
fondly recalls morning fishing for Striped bass, bluefish, tuna and
lobsters with Chef McClelland, then cooking their catch for dinner that same night.
Daniel is no stranger to Sel de la Terre. Shortly after Sel de la
Terre Boston opened, Daniel worked for a long time with Chef Geoff
Gardner, cooking lunches before going to L'Espalier for dinner
service.
Daniel is married and lives in Jamaica Plain with his wife Emily.