Friday, May 8, 2015

Milwaukee's Renowned Mexican Cuisine Chef "Pepe" Mendieta Has Passed Away

Chef Pepe or Don Pepe passed away peacefully with family members by his side.

By H. Nelson Goodson
Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

May 8, 2015

Milwaukee, WI - On Thursday, renowned Mexican Cuisine Chef Jose " Don Pepe" Gonzalez Mendieta, 82, lost a long battle with cancer and has passed away, according to family members. Mendieta passed away peacefully on Thursday morning with family members by his side.
Hispanic News Network U.S.A. (HNNUSA) published a tribute to Mendieta in May 2014 to celebrate his life and love for gastronomic food and culture.
HNNUSA would like to give out a shout out to the late Mendieta and recognize his accomplishments and the following once again is a well earned tribute for introducing Mexican cuisine (gourmet) style of cooking in Milwaukee, especially in the state of Wisconsin.
Mendieta operated El Rey Sol restaurant with his former wife, Chef Elvira Prado, 61, and family in Milwaukee's South side and specialized in Mexican cuisine/gastronomic foods.
Mendieta was a chef for more than 50 years and served as a chef for several Mexican presidents before living in California and then moving to Milwaukee. He retired in 2008.
For years, Mendieta published articles during El Día de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead. In Latin American, the Day of the Dead is celebrated in remembrance of relatives and their earthly habits and food they liked to consume while they lived.
In 2001, Mendieta suffered a back injury and had to temporarily close El Rey Sol. In 2004, Citlali Mendieta-Ramos, Jose's daughter opened La Antigua Restaurant at 5800 block of W. Burnham St. in West Allis. Her husband, Nicolas Ramos, the Chef and owner of La Antigua along with Citlali, also an owner and catering director operate the restaurant.
La Antigua serves contemporary Mexican, Latin American and Spanish foods as a specialty.
Today, Chef Elvira Prado continues to cook at La Antigua.

Mass services for Jose Gonzalez Mendieta will be held on Saturday, May 16, 2015 at St. Peter Evangelical Church, 1205 S. 8th St. in Milwaukee, WI.

Visiting: 1:00 p.m.

Mass: 2:30 p.m.

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