In the Kitchen with Chef Francis Martinez of Calgary's Delicious FinePrint: Calgary Culture

Hey Wanderers!

We had the honour of stepping behind the scenes of FinePrint, one of Calgary's most delicious restaurants on Stephen Ave. Executive Chef Francis Martinez has been with FinePrint since its opening three years ago in 2022, and has played an integral part in shaping the restaurant into what it is today.

Born and raised in the Philippines, Martinez was always surrounded by a love for cooking, though he never intended to pursue it. While his father owned bakeries and a small restaurant, Martinez was more interested in art and fashion. It was while working at a hotel that the future chef would fall in love with cooking, after seeing the art behind creating and plating a dish. The head chef would recommend that he study at a culinary school, and soon Francis Martinez's cooking journey would begin.

Martinez studied at Humber College in Toronto and entered the apprenticeship program, which allowed him to hone his skills and develop his technique.

As Executive Chef at FinePrint, Martinez has been critical to the restaurant's success. In developing dishes, Martinez infuses his Filipino heritage into each dish, bringing flavours and techniques from his background.

"My style is very simple." Chef Martinez said. "I don't want to hide anything."

Similarly, FinePrint is designed with an open-plan kitchen, showcasing the behind-the-scenes hard work. We had the honour of getting an in-depth look at how FinePrint creates its signature dish, Josper Roasted Sablefish with Savoy Cabbage, Fennel Salad, and an Orange Miso sauce. Check out our Instagram to see the amazing video!

Let us know if you've stopped by FinePrint and what your favourite dish is!