Joaquin Ortiz shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Joaquin, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Honestly, what’s been bringing me the most joy lately is our newborn son. My wife and I just had a baby about eight weeks ago and watching her give natural birth was truly the greatest miracle I’ve ever witnessed. We named him Kayenne, and he’s already completely changed our world.
These days, my routine feels a bit like Groundhog Day, feeding, burping, and changing diapers on repeat, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Everyone keeps telling me it’s long days and short years, and I’m already starting to understand exactly what they mean.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m a California native who’s spent the better part of my life chasing flavor, creativity, and connection. After studying culinary arts at Johnson & Wales and working under James Beard Award-winning chef Norman Van Aken and two Michelin-star chef David Bouley, I realized my calling went beyond the kitchen; it was about building experiences. Over the years, I’ve opened more than a dozen restaurants, launched lifestyle brands, and created spaces that bring people together, like Tea & Poets in South Miami and Jealous Fork, which grew from a humble food truck into one of the top-ranked brunch restaurants in the country. Recently, I’ve started two new projects: Blue Fox Bakeshop, a bakery I run with my wife where we make what I truly believe are the best cookies around, and Keeno’s Quest, my YouTube channel inspired by Anthony Bourdain, where I tell thought-provoking stories and take viewers behind the scenes of the restaurant world.
A near-fatal accident in my twenties changed everything. It forced me to slow down, reflect, and redefine success, not by accolades, but by impact. That moment inspired me to found Conscious Acts of Kindness, a nonprofit focused on spreading positivity and community support. Whether I’m behind the stove, in front of a camera, or mentoring entrepreneurs, my goal is the same: to create meaningful moments that feed both body and soul.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
A moment that completely reshaped how I see the world was when I was 26 and got hit by an SUV that pinned me against a boat, breaking my back. Doctors told me I might never walk again, but I refused to accept that as my story. Through months of physical therapy, acupuncture, and sheer determination, I learned to walk again, slowly, painfully, but with a new perspective.
That experience stripped everything down to what really matters. It taught me that survival isn’t the end goal, it’s what you do after you survive that defines you. Ever since, I’ve approached life and work with a deeper sense of gratitude and purpose. Whether I’m building a restaurant, mentoring others, or telling stories through Keeno’s Quest, I carry that lesson with me: every day is a gift, and it’s up to us to make it meaningful.
What’s something you changed your mind about after failing hard?
One thing I’ve changed my mind about after failing hard is how much time and energy I give to setbacks. Early on, I’d sometimes get caught up in small frustrations or mistakes, thinking they needed more attention than they really did. Over time, I developed a philosophy I live by called “5 Minutes, 5 Years.” The idea is simple: if whatever is happening won’t matter in five years, don’t give it more than five minutes of your time now.
This mindset has made failure feel like just another part of the process. I still take lessons from mistakes, but I don’t overthink them or let them slow me down. It keeps me focused on what really matters and moving forward, which is how I approach every project, from restaurants to Blue Fox Bakeshop and Keeno’s Quest.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
One project I’m fully committed to, no matter how long it takes, is my YouTube channel, Keeno’s Quest. I really believe that YouTube, and online video in general, is the future of storytelling and entertainment, gradually overtaking traditional TV. Every episode I produce with my business partner, Julian, gives me enormous satisfaction. From discovering hidden food gems to telling thought-provoking stories about the restaurant industry, the process of creating the content is as rewarding as sharing it.
In the big picture, Keeno’s Quest isn’t just a passion project, it’s a way to create the life I want on my own terms. Eventually, it will allow me to step back from running restaurants full-time and focus on traveling, exploring new cultures, and spending more time with my family. If you’re curious about the journey, please check out the channel and consider subscribing: https://www.youtube.com/@KeenosQuest. Every subscriber helps us keep telling these stories and uncovering the unseen side of the culinary world.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
What I understand deeply, and I think most people don’t, is that life doesn’t need to be as complicated or dramatic as we often make it. Too many people give their energy to things, projects, or even people that don’t actually help them live their best life. My “5 Minutes, 5 Years.” Philosophy helps me keep that in perspective, it’s a simple way to cut through the noise and focus on what truly matters.
I think this ties directly into Eleanor Roosevelt’s quote: “Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people.” Too often, people obsess over drama or gossip, when they could be putting that energy into creating, learning, and improving themselves. I try to live my life on the “ideas” level, thinking about solutions, experiences, and opportunities, and it’s made a huge difference in how I work, create, and even relate to the people around me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.keenosquest.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joaquinprovider
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/jealous-fork-miami
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@KeenosQuest
- Other: https://www.bluefoxbakeshop.com/
https://jealousfork.com/
