CHEF José Andrés has had a highly successful career in the food industry.
Now, fans of the famed restauranteur want to know more about his wife and family life.
Who is José Andrés’ wife, Patricia?
Patricia Fernandez de la Cruz was born and raised in Spain, per People.
According to a May 2019 interview with Bethesda Magazine, she hails from Cádiz in the southwest.
Spanish-American chef José Andrés has repeatedly expressed his love for his wife, who also goes by Tichi.
According to the outlet, in his 2018 book titled We Fed an Island: The True Story of Rebuilding Puerto Rico, One Meal at a Time, he referred to Patricia as the “organized and sensible person in my family.”
He also called her “caring, loving and the best friend a nutjob like me can have,” in the book’s acknowledgments.
Patricia told the publication that she came to Washington, DC to study English while her uncle worked for the Spanish Embassy.
“The plan was to be here for six months, study some English, then get back. But I ended up staying here,” she said.
“I took some classes, went to Montgomery College. Then I finished at University of Maryland University College. Meanwhile, I was working for my embassy, the commercial office. In the process, I met José.”
She and José later relocated to Bethesda, Maryland.
In an Instagram post from December 9, 2023, José celebrated the tenth anniversary of him and Patricia becoming American citizens.
“10 years ago my wife Patricia and I became American citizens! Grateful to have a home we come from 🇪🇸 and another where we belong 🇺🇸,” he wrote.
“Every day I’m humbled by the opportunity to help create a more perfect union…building longer tables so the American dream can be achieved by all!”
In 2021, José spoke with People about his humanitarian efforts, saying he could not do it without his wife.
“It’s important to have a good network of family. My wife is, I mean I don’t know who sent my wife to me, but I’m sure it’s a God from whatever religion,” he said.
How did they meet?
In their 2019 interview with Bethesda Magazine, José and Patricia revealed that they met at a restaurant called Café Atlantico in Washington, D.C.
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“Actually, I was waiting in the line with a friend because there were always long lines to get into Café Atlantico,” Patrica said, in part.
“And José came with a friend and he was like, ‘Do you want to come in?’ We said, ‘Sure.’ So we go in, and then we say, ‘Thank you!’ And we went to look for our friends,” she continued.
“Then we ended up all meeting each other.”
“I saw her dancing many times before. She was always running with these other boys…and so, when I saw an opportunity to make my move, I did,” José said.
“José was really fun since the beginning,” Patricia added.
She also told the publication that the couple dated for a year and a half before they married in September 1995.
They first tied the knot in a civil ceremony in Bethesda before having a religious wedding in Spain, “the real wedding with friends,” Patricia said.
Do José and Patricia have kids?
José and Patricia have three kids, including daughters Carlota, Ines, and Lucia, per Bethesda Magazine.
All three children attended The Woods Academy in Bethesda.
“The family lives in a contemporary home with a comfortable and earthy interior (and an inviting kitchen with dark wood cabinets, lots of natural light, and a counter filled with bowls of fruits, vegetables and freshly marinated olives),” the outlet states.
“In the front yard, they grow potatoes, carrots, cauliflower and other produce in raised beds. They also do their own composting and maintain two beehives.”