Maria Gonzalez

Executive Chef

Maria Gonzalez is the Executive Chef at Mizu in Charlotte, NC, where she blends technical mastery with bold creativity. Her culinary journey began in her grandmother’s kitchen in Houston, Texas, where she learned to cook by instinct and flavor. By 15, she was working at a local butcher shop and participating in her high school’s restaurant co-op program. These hands-on experiences inspired her to pursue a culinary degree at the Art Institute of Houston. Since then, Gonzalez has held roles at Houston restaurants including Saba Blue Water Café, Aries Restaurant, and the Houstonian Hotel & Spa’s Manor House as well as multiple concepts for Local Foods Group. Along the way, she has developed a rich repertoire of global cuisines, which remains one of her proudest achievements. 

At Mizu, Gonzalez draws on that breadth of experience to craft dishes that surprise, delight, and spark conversation. She thrives on challenging herself and pushing boundaries, weaving seasonal ingredients, bold spices, and fresh herbs into flavorful, health-conscious plates. Her goal is always to create food that’s as nourishing as it is memorable, making guests pause mid-sentence after their first bite. In her role as Executive Chef, Gonzalez is passionate about leading her staff in a way that encourages and inspires growth both in and out of the kitchen, while also introducing new culinary techniques and methods. 

When she’s not at Mizu, Gonzalez is passionate about strength training, spending time with friends and family, and mentoring the next generation of chefs. She recently guided a group of high school students in creating and launching a Jamaican hot dog pop-up, a project that reflects her belief in sharing knowledge and motivating others through food.