At 39, Ivan Romero, executive chef and founder of The Rosemary Group, has built his culinary career around one simple yet powerful idea: food can bring people together. For Romero, every plate is an opportunity to connect communities, evoke memories, and make guests feel at home—whether they’re across the street or across the globe.
His signature dish, ROOTS, perfectly embodies that philosophy. The roasted salmon, paired with honey-lemon root vegetables and finished with a bright mango beurre blanc sauce, is a vibrant tribute to fresh flavors and cultural fusion. And when he’s off-duty? Romero can’t resist ordering tacos.
Deeply rooted in the Stamford community, Romero appreciates the way local businesses, organizations, and residents work in harmony to spark new ideas and host events. “I love the network,” he says. “Somehow all businesses and organizations are connected and always thinking of new events.” You’ll often find him at neighborhood favorites like Bar Taco, Mecha, Cinco de Mayo, and La Frontera Taqueria, as well as supporting emerging small businesses.
For aspiring chefs and hospitality professionals, Romero offers practical advice: start by building a strong foundation. “Get yourself in a program that helps you create structure and acquire knowledge about the culinary world. The skills come with practice.”
Romero doesn’t just talk about lifting others up—he lives it. He teaches and mentors through free programs such as The Kitchen Accelerator from the Village Community Foundation, The Incubator Program from Building One Community, and cooking classes at the Ferguson Library. His own home kitchen at CoCREATE by GE serves as another hub for learning and collaboration.
From his innovative dishes to his dedication to education and community connection, Chef Ivan Romero continues to prove that food is more than sustenance—it’s a shared language that unites people.