<div>Honoring the Life of Chef José Manuel Márquez Gatica — Supporting Selene

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<div>There are people who feed us, and there are people who nourish our lives.     José Manuel did both.

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<div>On Tuesday morning, our dear friend, husband, chef, and one of the kindest souls many of us had the privilege of knowing, José Manuel Márquez Gatica, passed away unexpectedly at his home after a long battle with heart disease. He was only 54 years old.

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<div>José Manuel was not only an extraordinary chef, but an exceptional human being. He will be remembered not only for everything he accomplished, but especially for the way he made people feel.

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<div>Those who knew him often said that his greatest gift was making every person who walked through his door feel like family. If you ever shared a meal with José Manuel, chances are you left with much more than a full stomach. You left with a story, a smile, and the feeling that you had just spent time with an old friend.

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<div>Born in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain, José Manuel made Colorado his home and spent decades sharing the flavors, traditions, and soul of his beloved Spain. He became one of the pioneers of authentic Spanish cuisine in Denver through his restaurant, Tapas de Jerez.

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<div>His culinary journey began humbly as a dishwasher before leading four-star kitchens, cooking for the King of Norway and U2, helping expand Maria Empanada to five locations, co-founding Churrería de Madrid at Stanley Marketplace, and ultimately fulfilling his dream through The Flavors of Spain.

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<div>He was also a passionate reader and lifelong learner, with a digital library of more than 10,000 books. He could spend hours talking about history, politics, literature, travel, or gastronomy, always making every conversation richer and every person feel heard.

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<div>A devoted Real Madrid supporter, José Manuel leaves behind the love of his life, Selene Arteaga Peña, as well as family members, friends, colleagues, customers, and neighbors whose lives were enriched by knowing him.

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<div>Many also know Selene through her outstanding work as the pastry chef and owner of SaboreArte Bakery. Together, they dedicated their lives to bringing people together through wonderful food, warm hospitality, and generosity. They didn't simply serve meals—they created memories for thousands of families across Colorado.

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<div>Today, it is our turn to be there for Selene.

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<div>We created this fundraiser to help cover funeral and memorial expenses as she faces the unimaginable loss of her husband and life partner. Every contribution, regardless of the amount, will help ease the financial burden and allow her to focus on honoring José Manuel's life and legacy.

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<div>If you are unable to contribute financially, you can still help by sharing this campaign with your family, friends, and community. We also ask that you keep Selene and all of José Manuel's loved ones in your thoughts and prayers.

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<div>Thank you for helping us celebrate the life of an extraordinary husband, chef, mentor, and friend whose kindness nourished far more than our tables—it nourished our lives.

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<div>His table was always open.

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<div>His laughter was unforgettable.

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<div>His generosity knew no limits.

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<div>May we honor his memory by caring for one another with the same warmth, generosity, and joy that he shared every day.

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<div>VERSION EN ESPAÑOL:

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<div>HONRANDO LA VIDA DEL CHEF JOSÉ MANUEL MÁRQUEZ GATICA Y APOLLANDO A SELENE

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<div>Hay personas que nos alimentan, y hay personas que nutren nuestras vidas.  José Manuel hizo ambas cosas.

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<div>El martes por la mañana, nuestro querido amigo, esposo, chef y una de las personas más bondadosas que muchos tuvimos la fortuna de conocer, José Manuel Márquez Gatica, falleció inesperadamente en su hogar después de una larga batalla contra una enfermedad cardíaca. Tenía solo 54 años.

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<div>José Manuel no fue solamente un chef extraordinario, sino también un ser humano excepcional. Será recordado no solo por todo lo que logró, sino especialmente por cómo hacía sentir a los demás.

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<div>Quienes lo conocieron solían decir que su mayor talento era hacer que cada persona que entraba por su puerta se sintiera parte de su familia. Quienes compartieron una comida con él se llevaban mucho más que el estómago lleno: se llevaban una historia, una sonrisa y la sensación de haber pasado tiempo con un viejo amigo.

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<div>Nacido en Jerez de la Frontera, España, José Manuel hizo de Colorado su hogar y dedicó décadas a compartir los sabores, las tradiciones y el alma de su querida España. Fue uno de los pioneros de la auténtica cocina española en Denver con su restaurante Tapas de Jerez.

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<div>Su trayectoria comenzó humildemente como lavaplatos y lo llevó a dirigir cocinas de cuatro estrellas, cocinar para el Rey de Noruega y para U2, colaborar en la expansión de Maria Empanada a cinco locales, cofundar Churrería de Madrid en Stanley Marketplace y cumplir finalmente su sueño con The Flavors of Spain.

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<div>También fue un lector apasionado y un eterno curioso, con una biblioteca digital de más de 10.000 libros. Podía conversar durante horas sobre historia, política, literatura, viajes o gastronomía, haciendo que cada charla fuera más interesante y que cada persona se sintiera escuchada.

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<div>Apasionado hincha del Real Madrid, José Manuel deja al amor de su vida, Selene Arteaga Peña, además de familiares, amigos, colegas, clientes y vecinos cuyas vidas fueron más ricas por haberlo conocido.

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<div>Muchos también conocen a Selene por su extraordinario trabajo como pastelera y propietaria de SaboreArte Bakery. Juntos dedicaron sus vidas a unir a las personas a través de la buena comida, la hospitalidad y la generosidad. No solo sirvieron comidas: crearon recuerdos para miles de familias en Colorado.

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<div>Hoy nos toca estar presentes para Selene.

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<div>Creamos esta campaña para ayudarla a cubrir los gastos funerarios y del homenaje mientras atraviesa la inimaginable pérdida de su esposo y compañero de vida. Cada contribución, sin importar el monto, ayudará a aliviar la carga económica y le permitirá concentrarse en honrar la vida y el legado de José Manuel.

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<div>Quienes no puedan colaborar económicamente pueden ayudarnos compartiendo esta campaña con sus familiares, amigos y comunidad. También les pedimos que mantengan a Selene y a todos los seres queridos de José Manuel en sus pensamientos y oraciones.

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<div>Gracias por ayudarnos a celebrar la vida de un esposo, chef, mentor y amigo extraordinario, cuya bondad alimentó mucho más que nuestras mesas: alimentó nuestras vidas.

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<div>Su mesa siempre estuvo abierta.

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<div>Su risa fue inolvidable.

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<div>Su generosidad no tuvo límites.

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<div>Honremos su memoria cuidándonos unos a otros con la misma calidez, generosidad y alegría que él compartió cada día.

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Honoring the Life of Chef José Manuel Márquez Gatica

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Honoring the Life of Chef José Manuel Márquez Gatica

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