Rick Martínez
Rick Martínez is a Mexican American chef, cookbook author and cooking teacher in Mazatlán, sharing Mexican food through Mi Cocina, Salsa Daddy and his Sazón newsletter.
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Latest
Rick’s happenings, collected from public sources, plus his backstory and Starbook, where fans write.
Known for
Overview
- From
- Austin, Texas
- Based in
- Mazatlán, Mexico
- Work
- Chef, cookbook author, recipe developer and cooking teacher
- Breakout
- Bon Appétit’s test kitchen and cooking videos
- First cookbook
- Mi Cocina, published May 3, 2022
Mini bio
How it started.
Rick grew up in Austin, cooking alongside his mother. His first job was at Railroad Barbecue near home, where he learned dishes from smoked brisket to cream pies.
A second career.
After 16 years in advertising, Rick went to culinary school in New York. He worked at ABC Kitchen, then moved into food media at Food Network and Bon Appétit, becoming a senior food editor and a familiar face in its cooking videos.
Finding his own cocina.
Research for Mi Cocina took him across all 32 Mexican states, through 156 cities and over 20,000 miles. He stopped in Mazatlán during the pandemic and stayed. Published in 2022, the book explores regional food alongside his own Mexican American identity.
What he shares now.
Rick followed Mi Cocina with Salsa Daddy in 2025. From his kitchen in Mazatlán, he also shares recipes and food stories through Sazón and teaches monthly online classes through Rick’s Cooking School.
Creditschronological, newest first
Books
- 2025Salsa DaddyAuthor
- 2022Mi CocinaAuthor
Cooking classes
Collaborations
- 2025Sonoran-inspired menu for Local KitchensChef and menu co-creator
Awards
Quotes
She always taught me to cook for love.Rick Martínez, On Hand interview with Brianna Plaza, April 29, 2025
Remembering how his mother taught him to cook. Source: https://www.readonhand.com/p/rick-martinez-salsa-daddy-mi-cocina-cookbooks
Trivia
- His chocolate Labrador is named Choco.
- His first job was at Railroad Barbecue, about a quarter mile from his childhood home.
- An ice-cream project for Breyer’s helped prompt his move from advertising to culinary school.
Find Rick
Follow his recipes, kitchen classes and travels through Mexico.
Are you Rick Martínez?
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Clarkson Potter
Clarkson Potter
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