Ivan Valez is the chef de cuisine at Homestead On The Roof and West Town Bakery & Diner.

Prior to joining Homestead On The Roof and West Town Bakery & Diner, Ivan was a sous chef at Portsmith – a sustainable seafood restaurant in River North – for a year and a half. Homestead On The Roof, West Town Bakery & Diner, and Portsmith are all part of The Fifty/50 Restaurant Group.

Prior to joining The Fifty/50 Restaurant Group, Ivan was a sous chef at Lobo Rey and the lead line cook at Quixote – both high-end and now-closed Mexican restaurants in Chicago.

Ivan was born and raised in the Logan Square neighborhood of Chicago. He graduated from Kendall College with a culinary arts degree. Prior to enrolling at Kendall College, Ivan spent six years in the United States Marine Corps and finished his military career as a Corporal.

Ivan lives in the Chicago suburb of Berwyn and enjoys working out and reading in his free time.