Chef Walter Nunez’s authentic recipe for living

Written by Melani Morose Edelstein  |  Photographed by Vincent Rios

Executive Chef Walter Nunez, the genius behind the culinary delights at The Rex Seaside Steakhouse in Redondo Beach, isn’t just a wizard in the kitchen; he’s also one of the most compassionate, generous and grounded individuals you’ll ever encounter. His strong voice tinged with nostalgia, Chef Walter fondly recalls his childhood spent cooking alongside his family.

“You know, as a kid I never really considered becoming a chef. But those moments in the kitchen with my family cooking, always cooking—they’ve truly shaped who I am today,” he says warmly. “We didn’t have much growing up in Long Beach, but what we did have was each other and our shared passion for cooking.”

At the ripe age of 16, Chef Walter stepped into the culinary world, and he hasn’t looked back. Now at 33, he proudly declares that cooking for others brings him immense joy. “It’s all about feeding people,” he advises. “Avoid over-complicating meals and focus on bringing everyone together to eat.”

The chef boasts an impressive background in California’s culinary scene. He attributes a significant portion of his achievements to his tenure at San Francisco’s renowned Jardinière, his experience collaborating with Chef Michael Hung at Faith & Flower, a distinguished establishment in Downtown Los Angeles, and later his time with Chef David Schlosser at Shibumi, an exclusive Michelin-starred restaurant also located downtown.

“By now everyone knows how talented Chef Walter is,” says his business partner and longtime friend Dan Nguyen. “What they really don’t know is how impressive Chef Walter is as a human being. He is such a good person, genuine and an excellent leader. My wife, Lisa, and I are incredibly grateful to have him as our key partner in executing the vision that transformed The Rex into a premier steakhouse.”

Launching The Rex was a labor of love for the trio, who unveiled The Rex in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. “When Dan proposed the idea of running a steakhouse in Redondo Beach, I thought, ‘Why not?’” recalls Chef Walter with an easy laugh.

Fast-forward to today, and Chef Walter, his wife Emily, and their 18-month-old daughter Harper are thriving in Torrance and actively engaging with their community. But the path to this point has been bumpy.

The chef encountered an unexpected twist when he landed in the emergency department of Torrance Memorial Medical Center in April 2023. “I brushed off what I thought was just a stomachache. When I showed up in the emergency department, I thought I’d be out of there in a few hours but ended up staying a week. That stomachache turned out to be something much more serious. Guys like me who work all the time and eat whatever they want and neglect their health tend to overlook signals from their bodies.”

This experience served as a wake-up call for Chef Walter, leading him to reassess his approach to health and well-being. During his hospitalization, he realized the importance of establishing an ongoing relationship with a primary care physician, an awareness for which he remains deeply grateful today.

“By day six in the hospital, I was already on insulin and other meds and getting antsy. Amazingly, a friend of mine, Dr. Jamie McKinnell, randomly walked in. What are the chances a friend would show up? But that’s Torrance Memorial, where everyone is so caring. They have guided me through it all and continue to do so. I am almost off my insulin, and it’s just so comforting to have someone you can talk to,” he says.

Recognition of Torrance Memorial is a huge motivating factor for Chef Walter, and sharing his experience is part of his journey toward recovery. “In a world where eventually something is going to happen to most everyone, we are really lucky to have one of the best hospitals in the world right here,” he points out.

The chef has also found solace and meaning in his involvement with the Young Physicians and Professionals Alliance (YPPA), a hospital fundraising group. Alongside his family, Chef Walter enjoys participating in various YPPA events, such as summer parties and casino nights, where he not only showcases his culinary skills and donates his time and efforts, but he admittedly feels good about contributing to causes close to his heart.

“YPPA is great. There are a lot of like-minded professionals involving themselves in what’s important to the community. It’s essential. I grew up not going to doctors or hospitals. That was our culture. But supporting the hospital and showing people there is no stigma to hospitals and doctors, that’s what it’s about at Torrance Memorial. This is an amazing network of people,” says the chef.

Through it all, Chef Walter remains dedicated to his origins, his craft and his community. With every dish he creates and every fundraiser he cooks for, he embodies the essence of gratitude, resilience and compassion. Through experience he has come to realize that food is not just about nourishment; it’s about healing, both physically and emotionally.

“Don’t get me wrong, I love a great French dip and all different kinds of food, but I think practicing moderation is really important—not just in the food we eat but in everything,” he shares with firsthand knowledge.

Chef Walter understands food’s potential to heal, inspire and bring people together. With each carefully crafted dish, diners are reminded of Chef Walter’s philosophy on life: a dash of gratitude, a pinch of resilience and a heaping spoonful of compassion.

Save the Date: The Rex will be hosting Casino Night again this year on Friday, September 27.