Katy Velazquez

VP of Culinary Innovation, Qdoba Restaurant Corporation

Speaker

Leading QDOBA’s culinary innovation is Executive Chef Katy Velazquez. She’s a James Beard award-winning, Emmy-nominated, lover of Mexican food who you may have seen on National Geographic Channel and Food Network. Velazquez honed her skills while working with the respected chef- restaurateur, Rick Bayless: she served as the test kitchen director and Culinary Producer for his hit PBS series, “Mexico – One Plate at a Time;” oversaw the development of his cookbook, “More Mexican Everyday;” and was the culinary director of Bayless’ podcast, “The Feed.” She served three years as Executive Creative Chef at Puesto, a contemporary, artisan Mexican restaurant with several locations throughout Southern California. Chef Katy has developed menus, opened restaurants, and written cookbooks, combining a passion for traditional Mexican flavors with modern preparation and technique.