The Model Café is open for business. So now is the perfect time to get to know the chef behind Sligo’s newest café. Juan Sevilla Jimenez is originally from Mexico but now calls Sligo home. We caught up with him to get the low-down on his grand plans for The Model Café.

How did you end up coming to Ireland?

I was living in New York. I was working in an Irish pub, where I had been working for four years. I used to be a bartender. I met my girlfriend there. She was the waitress. I met her the first year I worked there. We worked together for two years. Then we decided to move to Ireland. I know two Mexican guys who are in the same boat. They met Irish girls abroad and ended up moving to Ireland with them. Small world!

What was your first impression of The Model?

The first time I came to The Model was for a Baroque concert. My partner plays the flute and she is part of the group. She has been playing with the Baroque group for seven or eight years. When I walked into The Model and thought it was a really nice place: it’s really tranquil and light.

Where did you work before?

I worked in Fabbrica, the Italian restaurant on Rockwood Parade. I was the second chef there. It was really nice. The staff worked very well together but I decided to come to The Model because I was looking for a new opportunity and a new experience.

What’s your vision for The Model?

I have a lot of ideas. The atrium is a calm & beautiful, it would be a really nice place to have dinner! I’ve also got a lot of ideas for the menu. I would like to create more breakfast dishes and devote one day a week to serving Mexican dishes. A Mexican day could be great too!