Carlo Martinez

Chef Carlo Martinez experienced one of the most heart-breaking events possible: the loss of a child. But now, he uses his love of cooking and his daughter’s memory to honor family through pizza and other New York-inspired dishes.

Carlo Martinez came to the United States from Honduras when he was 19-years old. He took a job as a dishwasher and immediately fell in love with the culinary arts. Now a chef and co-owner of Hawthorne’s Pizza, an 10-location chain based in Charlotte, North Carolina, Carlo creates authentic New York-style pizzas, sauces, pastas, salads and other Italian dishes. All the while, he uses family as his guiding light. Finding inspiration from his late daughter and her pride in his accomplishments, he and his co-owners work tirelessly to make their restaurant a beacon of unity and family values. Whether it’s the homemade love that goes into his recipes, the welcoming, unpretentious environment or the dedication to do whatever it takes, including answering phones or bussing tables, it’s all done to encourage gathering and celebrate the simple pleasure of coming together over a good meal. And now, thanks to those efforts, everyone who dines at Hawthorne’s Pizza is a part of Carlo’s family.

To get a closer look at Chef Carlo and Hawthorne’s Pizza, visit their site, or follow their Facebook, Instagram and Twitter feeds.