Julio Hernandez- Owner- Maiz De La Vida

In this episode of Nashville Restaurant Radio, I sit down with Julio Hernandez, the visionary chef and owner of Maiz De La Vida, one of Nashville’s most beloved Mexican food concepts. Julio opens up about the challenges of running and scaling three locations, from staffing and consistency to the constant hustle of keeping quality at the forefront. We also dive into some big news—Julio shares details about a potential new location and what that expansion could mean for the future of Maiz De La Vida. Beyond business, Julio’s passion for giving back shines through in our conversation. He discusses his involvement with Giving Kitchen, the importance of industry nights as a way to build camaraderie among hospitality workers, and an all-new community celebration called Cornstock—a party you won’t want to miss. This episode is a mix of candid entrepreneurial insights, community focus, and Julio’s trademark energy that has made Maiz De La Vida such a special part of Nashville’s dining scene. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: • The real challenges behind operating and growing three restaurant locations • How Julio approaches scaling while staying true to his roots • Why giving back through organizations like Giving Kitchen matters • The story behind Cornstock and how it came to life • How industry nights strengthen Nashville’s hospitality community Whether you’re a restaurant operator, a food lover, or someone passionate about community, this conversation will inspire you