Chef Larry Garcia - affectionately known as “Chef G” - is originally from Dimmitt, TX. Three words he says sum up who he is include Jesus, Texas and Tacos. He’s a 2001 graduate from Texas Tech University and he majored in Restaurant Hotel and Institutional Management. He also holds a Master's Degree in Educational Leadership and graduated in 2020 from the University of Texas Permian Basin. His culinary education comes from the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts in Baking and Pastry Fundamentals, which he graduated from in 2015, and from Culinary Fundamentals in 2017. He’s currently working on the last segment of his American Culinary Federation Certification as a Chef Educator. He’s also earned the certification for Certified Chef de Cuisine and says he would love to finish a PhD program at some point in the future. 

His work experience includes working in Las Vegas, Nevada for the Venetian, Mandalay Bay, and MGM Grand. He has also worked in Washington DC, Maryland, & New Jersey in a variety of capacities, from opening properties, converting properties, and training task force in Food & Beverage and Hospitality Services, in both limited-service and full-service hotels. He’s also worked for organizations such as the Ritz Carlton, Marriott, Hilton, & Choice Hotels Inter-Continental, and has over 10-years experience working in a wedding venue atmosphere, most recently with Walnut Tree Weddings and Events. 

He has been involved in educating others for 13 years (10 years at Dimmitt ISD and 3 years at AmTech Career Academy.) He was selected as the AmTech Teacher of the Year for the 2022-2023 term, and was nominated for the Amarillo ISD Secondary Teacher of the Year, in which he came in as First Finalist. His most recent professional connections have been as Director of the Board for FCCLA (Family Career Community Leaders of America) for the State of Texas and has been a supporting board member for FCSTAT (Family Consumer Science Texas Teachers Association). While there, he earned the Texas Teacher Spirit of Advising in 2020 and received the National Award representing Texas for Spirit of Advising. He led teams to the National Stage in competition with Top Honors and had Regional and State Officers during that time. He’s currently serving as the League Coordinator for the Panhandle North, for First Tech Challenge Robotics, and has been involved as a mentor coach to help inspire students to embrace STEM careers.

One of his favorite things is to get new recipes belonging to families, and then share those with other people. Summing everything up in his own words, he says, “I find this career extremely rewarding, having the ability to share something that I'm passionate about, [which is] food, and share it with others.”