Today we’d like to introduce you to Reina Montenegro

Reina , we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?

Reina Montenegro hails from Dumaguete City on the Philippine island of Negros, relocating to the Bay Area in 1997. Her journey into the culinary world began as a self-taught chef after leaving a decade-long corporate career in 2012 to pursue her passion for cooking and food.

Starting as a personal chef and caterer, Montenegro quickly made a name for herself, creating dishes for notable figures such as Mayors Jean Quan of Oakland, Tom Bates of Berkeley, and the late Ed Lee of San Francisco. Her culinary talents also graced events hosted by tech giants like Apple, NASA, UBER, Twitter, and financial institutions like Goldman Sachs and BlackRock Investments.

In 2016, her catering success led her to launch ‘Nick’s Kitchen’ in Daly City. A year later, she transformed the restaurant to embrace her plant-based diet and cruelty-free ethos, establishing the first Filipino Vegan restaurant in the Peninsula. This endeavor expanded with the opening of two more beloved Filipino vegan spots: ‘Nick’s On Grand’ (2018, South San Francisco) and ‘Nick’s On Mission’ (2019, San Francisco).

In 2021, Montenegro took a bold step forward, rebranding and launching ‘Chef Reina’ in Brisbane, CA. This storefront marks her emergence from the ‘Nick’s’ brand, setting the stage for a genuine relaunch as her authentic self. A true artist in the kitchen, Montenegro finds joy in creating culinary experiences and cherishes spending time with close friends and
her cherished children.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?

As a small-town island girl, moving to America was a life-changing experience. Arriving with just two suitcases and my hopes and dreams was the scariest moment of my life. The second biggest challenge was deciding to work for myself. It’s been a wild journey, but all the blood, sweat, and dreams have made it worth it.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Chef Reina?

I’m known as the queen of vegan Filipino and world cuisine, often seen as the gateway for those wanting to go vegan while missing meat. For the past seven years, I’ve recreated my childhood favorites and beloved dishes from my pre-plant-based life. This culinary activism is my way of saving lives, animals, and the planet. My journey is significant—not only did I migrate to America alone, but I also broke free from the corporate world to become an entrepreneur. As a single mother of three, I juggle life and business while offering a range of services, with my favorite being education through talks, cooking demos, and catering events.

Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?

I love San Francisco for its diversity and sense of freedom. The moment I arrived in 1997, I knew I had found my home, and I’ve never looked back. My least favorite aspect is how empty the city feels after the pandemic, with so many people moving away due to high costs. Living here can be quite expensive.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.chefreina.com
• Instagram: @chef.reina
• Facebook: @chefreinainc
• Twitter: @chefreinasf
• Youtube: @chefreina676
• Yelp: @chefreina

Image Credits

Mogli Maureal