NINETEEN SIXTY-ONE, Chef Marcos Fernandez - Lakeland Entrepreneurs Series -

NINETEEN SIXTY-ONE has a true entrepreneur story!

Chef Marcos states that FAMILY is the driving force behind his culinary dishes which are masterpieces.

Chef Marcos works with local farmers which asked to remain anonymous for developing and perfecting the “Food Revolution of Lakeland”. To bring an experience that was missing in our beautiful city.

Nineteen61 Latin Cuisine opened Fall of 2015 in Downtown Lakeland. The conceptualized Restaurant is an integration of Modern Spanish style with Latin American and Southern propensities, in a setting unique to Central Florida.

A letter from Chef Marcos:

Dear Friend,

1961 is the year my parents were exiled from Cuba. Without the year 1961, this restaurant, perhaps even I, would not exist. My parent’s journey posed a complex question:

“How can we adapt to a new world and yet preserve the culture that gives us identity?”

This restaurant is a way for us to explore that question.

Nineteen61 is the beginning of a change in Lakeland’s hospitality culture.

We named it, The Food Revolution.

With the understanding of quality and the value of creating an in-depth memorable experience beyond a crafted dish, the wine poured in your glass, and linens on your table- we believe it requires more than just that.

Satisfying our appetite to offer the Nineteen61 experience requires partnering with local growers for pure and rich ingredients: our chickens, our pigs, our honey, our produce.

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It requires celebrating our hardworking, creative, and dedicated team members.

It requires building a system and culture of excellence with personal accountability, and then as a whole, these parts come together as a constellation of fresh and unique perspectives that shine through in every guest’s experience.

At Nineteen61, we position ourselves as a benchmark for Lakeland dining. A new standard that shows what is possible—what Lakeland diners should expect from their restaurants.

Despite of it all, including of our humbling success, it has never been about monetary success. It is not about recognition or press.

Instead, it is about the food, the freedom, and sharing these bounties with a community we love.

That is the revolution.