{"id":324547,"date":"2025-10-22T18:59:12","date_gmt":"2025-10-22T18:59:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/324547\/"},"modified":"2025-10-22T18:59:12","modified_gmt":"2025-10-22T18:59:12","slug":"san-antonio-food-industry-vets-remember-chef-josh-calderon-who-died-earlier-this-week","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/324547\/","title":{"rendered":"San Antonio food-industry vets remember chef Josh Calderon, who died earlier this week"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"ChefChef Josh Calderon participates in a Fajita Lounge benefit event. Credit: Courtesy Photo \/ @txtroublemaker<\/p>\n

San Antonio\u2019s tight-knit culinary community is mourning the loss of chef Josh Calderon, a beloved figure whose talent, humor and generosity left a lasting mark on kitchens and hearts\u00a0 across the city. <\/p>\n

Calderon died on Oct. 19 after battling an illness. He was surrounded by friends and family.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Known for his work at Three Star Bar, Bud\u2019s Southern Rotisserie and The Cookhouse, Calderon was more than a skilled chef. He was a mentor, a friend and a radiant presence who approached every challenge in and out of the kitchen with warmth, compassion and more than a few laughs, his friends and associates told the Current. <\/p>\n

Fajita Lounge co-founder and Gigi\u2019s Deli chef-owner Matt Garcia described Calderon as a culinary pro who embodied both dedication and heart.<\/p>\n

\u201cJosh wasn\u2019t just a friend to me. He was a friend to anyone and everyone. He could light up a room with his laugh,\u201d Garcia said. \u201cHe was the constant joke-maker \u2014 there was nothing that couldn\u2019t be made into a better situation with a joke.\u201d<\/p>\n

Garcia added that the hard-working Calderon would spent \u201ccountless\u201d hours in the kitchen to ensure his teams were set up for success. <\/p>\n

\u201cIf they weren\u2019t, he\u2019d go the extra mile to make sure they were,\u201d Garcia added. \u201cNo matter how tired or exhausted he felt, when he talked about his kids and his wife, it was like a boost of energy \u2014 of love \u2014 that carried him through. He really was so proud to be a family man.\u201d<\/p>\n

Garcia continued: \u201cI\u2019m gonna miss my friend, my road dog. He was there for me in some of the most formative years of my career, and I\u2019ll never be able to thank him enough for the time we spent working together.\u201d<\/p>\n

Aaron Pe\u00f1a, Fajita Lounge co-founder and Bar Gimme Gimme co-owner, reiterated Garcia\u2019s praise, adding that Calderon supported him as he faced a battle against cancer.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cAside from being part of some of my fondest memories \u2014 like when I DJed every Saturday at the Cookhouse and he was always there \u2014 a good story about his selflessness is how he organized a benefit dinner for me before chemo without even asking,\u201d Pe\u00f1a said. <\/p>\n

\u201cHe raised almost $3,000 to help me pay for treatment. He did the same thing at my benefit at Gimme, just showed up and started cooking without questions asked. He helped me tremendously during that time \u2014 and that\u2019s just one of countless times he did things like that for people, purely out of kindness.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joel Rivas, co-founder of Saint City Supper Club, recalled Calderon\u2019s love for his family. <\/p>\n

\u201cMy favorite memories of Josh are the conversations I had with him about being a dad. His face would light up when he talked about his kids \u2014 the way only a dad who truly loves his kids can light up,\u201d Rivas said.<\/p>\n

The Sichuan-DASHI team also shared a collective tribute, emphasizing Calderon\u2019s impact on the broader culinary community:<\/p>\n

\u201cChef Josh was a beam of light to the Sichuan-DASHI family and San Antonio\u2019s culinary community,\u201d the restaurant group said in its statement. \u201cHis big personality and generous spirit drew us into friendship and collaboration, and we\u2019re grateful to carry his memory forward. His passing reminds us to cherish and love the people around us \u2014 our families, teams, guests and our city. Chef Josh will always hold a special place in our hearts and the heart of the Alamo City.\u201d<\/p>\n

A GoFundMe for Calderon\u2019s family<\/a> is still active as of press time. No date has been set for his memorial service. <\/p>\n

As San Antonio\u2019s culinary world reflects on Calderon\u2019s passing, one thing remains certain: the chef\u2019s generosity, humor and spirit will remain a cherished part of the city\u2019s food culture, forever and always.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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