Meet Wendell Ordonez | Chef

We had the good fortune of connecting with Wendell Ordonez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Wendell, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Fortunately, with all the experience we both shared we wanted to share the passion/ knowledge to a community. We also have a family and realized we were both dedicating a lot of our time in the corporate world which required traveling. We knew if we became our own bosses we would have some flexibility to incorporate our children and have them experience the restaurant industry.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Absolutely everything that is in the restaurant – from the art decor which was my inspiration from when I was a child (sketching comic books). I hung around with my older brother and his friends which were all graffiti writers. The menu, the playlist and just the vibe at the restaurant is an expression of what I would like the customer to feel.

Being a chef, is a career you must love wholeheartedly because you don’t do it for the money. Alot of years of cup of ramen noodles, potato chips, late night eating. Toughens you up, you create a thicker skin, it’s not all rainbow and unicorns but if you stick with it the payout is definitely worth it. The kitchen is physically and mentally challenging which leads a lot of people to heavy drug use and alcoholism. My story is just that. From hitting rock bottom to falling in love with the industry.
Overcoming obstacles and finally finding the meaning of being a chef by bringing food and people from all parts of the world together.

My Brand, My Story….

My family brought me to this country from Honduras to improve our lives. The Ishilima story – is just that a hard working ever evolving family business where all my culinary experience intertwined with my personal growth and love for my children has culminated to be a restaurant where you can experience comfort, love in every detail from artwork, music, and food.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would take them to enjoy our beautiful ocean and spend a day fishing. Take a day trip to the West coast for some beach relaxation. I love to support local family owned businesses as well so we would hit up Pho VIngh for a big bowl of Pho, maybe some fresh Oysters at Southport. Enjoy a good cup of coffee and some lounge time at Brew Urban Cafe. Of course, introduce them to some of my Hondurean culture at Tipico Guanaco in Pines for pupusas and baleadas.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Our family – it is a family- owned business so every person from our Nanny aka Grandma, to our parents who have supported since day one. our extended family for spreading the word. Our two boys who push us to be better versions of ourselves! and Team/Family at Ishilima!

Website: www.ishilima.net

Instagram: ishilima

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ishilima

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/ishilima-pembroke-pines-2?osq=ishilima

Image Credits
Credit for Photography Chocolate milk, family photo – Geoffrey Shaffer