06/04/2026
This month, our spotlight is on one of the most beloved members of The Pickled Beet team: Chef Juan “Buddah” Gomez. As our longest-tenured employee, Buddah has been with us since January 2020, and his dedication, skill, and heart are felt in every meal he prepares for our clients.
Read our interview with Chef Buddah 👇
Q: What brought you to The Pickled Beet originally, and what made you say “yes” to the role?
Chef Vee, who’s an old friend, told me about the job. It was a part-time role at the time, cooking and helping out with the shopping. Six+ years later … and I’m still here.
Q: Looking back, what do you remember most about your very first day in the kitchen?
Looking back, I can see that I knew and know a lot more than I give myself credit for.
Q: How have you grown during your years at The Pickled Beet?
I have learned a great deal. We work with many individuals who require special dietary needs. Everything from gluten-free, dairy-free, AIP diets, you name it. This work is about continued growing.
Q: What do you like most about being a chef at The Pickled Beet?
Working and cooking from scratch daily. The teamwork and coworkers I work with daily.
Q: What is a behind-the-scenes moment in the kitchen that always makes you smile?
The Camaraderie. The way we work as a team.
Q: The Pickled Beet team has an incredible average tenure of more than 4 years, which is almost unheard of in the culinary world. What do you think makes this team so special?
Everyone’s professionalism and dedication to their craft.
Q: How would you describe the company culture at The Pickled Beet?
Professional, dedicated, consistent, reliable, quality.
Q: Do you have a standout memory or story from your time here that captures what The Pickled Beet means to you?
Moving into our own kitchen that we built…
Q: What are you most excited about for the future of The Pickled Beet?
Continued growth.
Q: What advice would you give to someone just starting out in the culinary world?
Never stop learning.