She is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in New York. After graduating, she moved to San Francisco where she worked in the prestigious kitchen of Jardiniére under the tutelage of Chef and Co-Owner Traci Des Jardins. Through her quest for culinary knowledge, Chef AQ has developed skills true to Mexican cuisine that focus on local, seasonal ingredients transformed into beautifully plated designs that create memorable dining experiences. A firm believer in modern Mexican, she has channeled her passion for creativity to build and layer complex flavors into every bite at José. As executive chef, AQ oversees the restaurant’s seasonal menu development and brings a fresh twist to many of José’s popular favorites.

 

A seasoned culinary innovator, Anastacia Quiñones-Pittman is the Executive Chef at José restaurant in Dallas. A first-generation Mexican-American and native Texan, Chef AQ, as she is known, brings over 18 years of acclaimed culinary experience to produce regionally inspired dishes from Jalisco, Oaxaca, Mexico City, and beyond. In 2024, she was named a semifinalist for the James Beard award for Best Chef: Texas. This was her third year being nominated for the prestigious award. Chef AQ was also named Chef of the Year 2018 for Eater Dallas and was featured in Nexflix’s Taco Chronicles in 2022.

 

She is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in New York. After graduating, she moved to San Francisco where she worked in the prestigious kitchen of Jardiniére under the tutelage of Chef and Co-Owner Traci Des Jardins. Through her quest for culinary knowledge, Chef AQ has developed skills true to Mexican cuisine that focus on local, seasonal ingredients transformed into beautifully plated designs that create memorable dining experiences. A firm believer in modern Mexican, she has channeled her passion for creativity to build and layer complex flavors into every bite at José. As executive chef, AQ oversees the restaurant’s seasonal menu development and brings a fresh twist to many of José’s popular favorites.

 

José’s vibrant story comes to life at every table through its chef-driven plates, craft cocktails, the ceramics crafted by its renowned namesake, José Noe Suro of Ceramica Suro, and the hand-drawn mural adorning the walls with scenes of Guadalajara and Tequila, which was a collaboration between Suro and Dallas-based designer and artist Megan Reinhardt.

 

More than a restaurant, José is a community with authentically innovative Mexican food at its heart. Helmed by award-winning Chef Anastacia Quiñones-Pittman, José’s culinary program is seasonal, inspired, and ever evolving.