Chef Saul Montiel

Executive Chef at Cantina Rooftop,

HK Hall & La Boom Bites

Executive Chef Saúl Montiel was born in Atotonilco el Grande, a small town outside of Pachuca in central Mexico, and quickly adopted the kitchen as his second home under the tutelage of his grandmother and mother. He not only developed a passion for food but for the restaurant industry as well, honing his skills at his family’s two restaurants

Inspired by the great “American Dream,” Montiel moved to the United States at age seventeen, and after a short time of working odd jobs to support his family, Montiel moved to New York City and finally broke into the restaurant industry as a dishwasher. To support his family back in Mexico, Montiel began arriving at work early to observe and learn from the cooks he worked with in an effort to move up the ladder quickly.

Montiel quickly advanced within the restaurant industry, from I Coppi and the Upper East Side’s Amaranth to the Mediterranean restaurant Tappo. At Tappo, Montiel met his culinary mentor, Chef Jody Williams. Williams taught him many of his culinary skills, reaffirmed his passion for food, and appointed him sous chef at only 19 years old. Progressing alongside Williams, Montiel served as sous chef at Giorgione and was eventually appointed executive chef.

Following a stint as sous chef at SoHo’s Lure Fishbar with Chef Josh Capon, Montiel rejoined Williams to work as the sous chef of Gusto Ristorante e Bar Americano. At Gusto, Montiel also worked with chefs Amanda Freitag and Anne Burrell.

Saul joined the Cantina Rooftop team in 2018. With a solid grounding of authentic Mexican recipes, combined with his adopted skills of Mediterranean techniques, Chef Montiel has created an exciting contemporaneous Mexican cuisine at Cantina Rooftop weaving in Mexican street food recipes and classic “fonda” dishes.

Chef Saul’s recipes have been featured on Good Morning America, The Wendy Williams show, Epicurious, Univision, Food & Wine, Forbes, NowThis News, People en Español and Telemundo, The Cooking Channel

Chef Saul resides in Union New Jersey with his wife, Eliana and he’s three kids , Ella Maria, Elena Lucia & Saul Elias

Passport Kitchen

Traditional Mexican Enchiladas Are Not What You Expect

Using Ancient Tools To Make Traditional Mexican Chicken Mole

Pro chef Vs Home Cook

$170 vs $15 Ravioli: Pro Chef & Home Cook Swap Ingredients

$107 vs $11 Breakfast Sandwich: Pro Chef & Home Cook Swap Ingredients

$167 vs $19 Chicken Parm: Pro Chef & Home Cook Swap Ingredients

$149 vs $9 Eggs Benedict: Pro Chef & Home Cook Swap Ingredients

$248 vs $15 Breakfast Tacos: Pro Chef & Home Cook Swap Ingredients

$135 vs $13 Nachos: Pro Chef & Home Cook Swap Ingredients

$113 vs $10 Burrito: Pro Chef & Home Cook Swap Ingredients

$196 vs $13 Calzone: Pro Chef & Home Cook Swap Ingredients

$335 vs $18 Chili: Pro Chef & Home Cook Swap Ingredients

4 levels

4 Levels of Cacio e Pepe: Amateur to Food Scientist

4 Levels of Tamales: Amateur to Food Scientist

4 Levels of Hot Chocolate: Amateur to Food Scientist

4 Levels of Eggs Benedict: Amateur to Food Scientist

4 Levels of Stuffed Peppers: Amateur to Food Scientist

4 Levels of Enchiladas: Amateur to Food Scientist

4 Levels of Garlic Bread: Amateur to Food Scientist

4 Levels of Fish Tacos: Amateur to Food Scientist

4 Levels of Quesadilla: Amateur to Food Scientist

4 Levels of Chicken Nuggets: Amateur to Food Scientist

4 Levels of Pulled Pork Sandwiches: Amateur to Food Scientist

4 Levels of Tostadas: Amateur to Food Scientist

4 Levels Of Burritos: Amateur to Food Scientist

What People are Saying

Telemundo

“GMA”

We tried a 12-pound taco you’ll want on the menu at your Super Bowl party

“Forbes”

9 Tips For Foolproof Guacamole From Chef Saúl Montiel Of Cantina Rooftop

“Forbes”

National Burrito Day Is A Great Excuse To Try These Creative Spins On A Classic Snack

“Condé Nast Traveler”

9 Best Rooftop Bars in New York City

“EL DIARIO”

A cocinar con el Chef Saúl Montiel

“EL DIARIO”

El regreso del Chef Saul Montiel

“Hubhopper”

Episode 56: Chef Saul Montiel

“Chef Works”

In their own words: The journey of Executive Chef Saul Montiel

“Gear Patrol”

Never Screw up Rice Again With This Chef-Approved Rice Cooker

“The food channel”

CHEF SAUL MONTIEL

“Total Food Service”

Saul Montiel Lives American Dream By Bringing Authentic Mexican Cuisine to NYC

“Broadway World”

Chef Spotlight: Saul Montiel of CANTINA ROOFTOP

“El Diario ”

Un bouquet de tacos para celebrar el amor

Passport Kitchen

Pro chef Vs Home Cook

4 levels

What People are Saying

“GMA”

“Forbes”

“Forbes”

“Condé Nast Traveler”

“EL DIARIO”

“EL DIARIO”

“Hubhopper”

“Chef Works”

“Gear Patrol”

“The food channel”

“Total Food Service”

“Broadway World”

“El Diario ”

Hours

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Phone

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