Efren Cardenas
Holiday Specials: Host

Chef Efren Cardenas grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area. His father introduced him to restaurant kitchens at a very young age, and in 1995 he opened Mama Lupe’s Cocina in San Leandro, CA. There he quickly learned the techniques and flavors of Mexican cuisine. Determined to explore the culinary world, Efren enrolled at the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco, CA. He spent the next few years working at restaurants and hotels in the Bay Area and Las Vegas, and eventually returned to the Academy as an Associate Chef Instructor.  Efren is currently working as an Executive Chef instructor at a cooking school in Daly City, CA.  His dedication, enthusiasm, and passion have made him an impressive chef and teacher.