Oscar Trejo was born into a family that loved to cook but did not consider it as a career until he was hired to wash dishes.

In was in that restaurant in his native Mexico at the age of 17 that he discovered that he “loved watching the chef” at work. To his delight, the day came that someone called in sick and he was asked to help with food preparation.

“I had no knife skills at that time but I fell in love with it,” he said. “The chef was calling for the food just the way they do on television.”

He studied culinary arts at Universidad Lucerna and then worked in the kitchens of Italian, Peruvian and Mexican steakhouses in Mexico City.

“Most of my experience was with the grill,” he said. “That is one of my favourite techniques to cook. I love the smoky flavour from the grill.”

After six years, he moved to Cancun, which was “like starting all over again”.

“I went to Cancun because that is the most important tourist place in Mexico. It is a very big place so there is always some offer to work.”

Mr Trejo was the executive chef at a hotel, Thompson Playa del Carmen, when he was approached by a headhunter last year.

The Hamilton Princess & Beach Club was looking for someone to help them bring authentic Mexican and South American flavours to its restaurant, 1609.

The seasonal restaurant reopens tomorrow with one of Mr Trejo’s favourite recipes, roasted fish with green adobo chillies.

“That dish is very, very nice,” he said. “We marinate the fish, but also we are adding the cilantro and parsley to make a sub crust and then we roast it in the oven. It is very flavourful. I love that.”

Also on the menu is one of his mother’s recipes. Mama Trejo’s Mexican red rice is made by simmering long grain white rice in tomato broth with onions, garlic and vegetables.

“She really loves to cook,” Mr Trejo said. “She taught me the right way to make it.”

His grandmother was also an inspiration. When he was growing up, she ran a small vegetarian bistro and he would often help her chop vegetables, set tables and serve customers.

He initially said no when he was invited to come to Bermuda because he was enjoying Playa del Carmen but changed his mind when he thought about what he was giving up.

“The job in Bermuda was a good opportunity to work outside of Mexico,” he said. “It would give me a chance to practise my English and I would be able to explore a new culture.

“I did a little research and Bermuda looked like a nice place.”

Mr Trejo’s hope is to remove some of the misconceptions people have about Mexican food.

“When people from America, England and Australia think of Mexican food they often think of tacos and burritos,” he said. “That is food from the frontier between Mexico and America. But there are many different regional types of food in Mexico.”

To make his dishes appealing to everyone, what is offered on the menu will not be anywhere near as spicy as what diners might get in Mexico.

“I am so excited that 1609 is reopening,” Mr Trejo said. “Now the expectations will really be there for me to deliver. It will be a challenge, but I am up to it. We have made a good combination between not only the most popular Latin foods but also the best flavours.”

He debuted some of his dishes at cooking demonstrations at the hotel last summer and will do the same again starting next month.

“People love to eat, but they also love to watch,” he said.

Since moving here last year, the singer and musician has discovered Bermuda is the perfect muse.

“On my days off, I like to walk in Bermuda’s beautiful parks with my guitar,” he said. “They are so clean that they are the perfect place to practise. I love to entertain. I think that is one of my talents.”

1609 is open Wednesdays through Sundays for lunch and dinner at Hamilton Princess & Beach Club