Chef Alan Baltazar

Chef Alan Baltazar grew up in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin and knew from an early age that his passion for food and the ability to think outside the box would lead him down the culinary path throughout his life. Chef Baltazar’s love of food was encouraged during his childhood, when at the age of eight he began cooking with his father. The self-taught chef admits that he enjoys the fast pace of the kitchen and works very well under pressure to create exciting new recipes at a moments notice. Alan got his start at the age of eighteen in Lake Geneva, WI preparing banquets at Grand Geneva and at Ristorante’ Brissago, one of the top ten restaurants in Wisconsin. Chef Baltazar was Sous Chef at Twin Oaks in Wilmot, Wisconsin and worked under the direction of Chef Richard Knox who received his training from Culinary Institute of America in New York, was apprentice in the kitchen of Chef Jean Bachet at LeFrancais and Executive Chef at LaTour in the Park Hyatt in Chicago, Il.

In 1996, Alan decided to move to Denver, Colorado where he became the Executive Chef at Hyland Hills Country Club, where he had the honor to host numerous PGA golf banquets and the Senior PGA Tour. His next venture took him back to Wisconsin where he accepted the position of Executive Chef of Brewmasters in Kenosha,Wisconsin where he executed a German influenced menu and utilized his talent for making his own sausage and smoked meats.

In 2000, everything changed when Chef Baltazar vacationed in Destin, Florida and two weeks later moved to the Emerald Coast. Here he assisted the owners of Destin Ice Seafood Market & Deli and Chef Tim Creehan open the deli portion of Destin Ice. After two years at Destin Ice, Chef Baltazar then moved on to become Sous Chef of Seagar’s Prime Steaks and Seafood where he perfected his artistry of the “perfectly” cooked steak. Alan remained at Seagar’s for four and a half years and then ventured out to start his own business restoring antique and classic cars. During this time the owner’s of Café Tango approached Alan about becoming their general manager and revamping their wine program. He agreed and eventually felt the need to be back in the kitchen.

In 2010, Chef Baltazar was asked by Chef Tim Creehan and partners Tim and Pam Wellborn to become Executive Chef and a Partner of Cuvee Bistro. Cuvee Bistro offers classic French, Asian and Mediterranean delicacies with attention to every detail. Chef Alan Baltazar lives in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida and enjoys working side-by-side with his wonderful partners of Cuvee Bistro.