Earlier this summer, creators, advocates, and other members of the diabetes community gathered at an event hosted by Quixote Executive Chef José Cepeda and Tandem Diabetes Care, a San Diego-based diabetes technology company, at the Lafayette Hotel. The afternoon offered a space for individuals to learn more about the incredible insulin delivery technology currently available for those living with diabetes along with the chance to enjoy a meal that was glucose-friendly and delicious.
But it was also an opportunity for individuals to connect, to feel seen and understood, and to find strength in the power of their community.
Chef José treated attendees to a cooking demonstration and offered tips and recipes for confidently managing glucose levels without compromising creativity or taste. This included his signature horchata rice pudding, a dish rooted in his Mexican heritage and one inspired by his own grandmother’s recipe. “She’s been a big inspiration for me,” he shared. “She taught me how to cook and how to work. She has always been present in my recipes and what I’m doing. Mostly all of my dishes are based on her recipes.”
Creating healthy dishes that honor his roots has long been important to Chef José. But educating others on the impact food has on health is another one of his passions—and it’s a deeply personal one, too.
Chef José was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 19 when he was in culinary school, dreaming of becoming a chef. Rather than letting the diagnosis hold him back, he took the lessons his grandmother gave him and kept working. Now 34 and having achieved his own dream, he takes pride in being a resource for other people living with type 1 diabetes. Just as he uses food to connect with his culture, he believes food can and should be a tool for connecting the diabetes community.
During his demonstration, Chef José discussed how he balances his desire to create bold, creative cooking dishes with the need to be mindful of his own health and that of his diners. He also got candid about the daily realities of living with type 1 diabetes.
He specifically credited the Tandem Mobi system with helping him manage his condition even in the high-stress, fast-paced world of a professional chef. Tandem Mobi is the world’s smallest, durable automated insulin delivery system for people living with diabetes,1 making it the #1 Favorite Pump, and the People’s Choice winner2. Chef José said the device’s small size allows him to go about his day without worrying it will get in the way and is especially perfect for working in tighter quarters, like a kitchen. The device is also equipped with Control-IQ+ technology, an automated insulin delivery (AID) feature from Tandem that can be used by those with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. With an AutoBolus feature, it is also the only AID algorithm that allows users to program extended boluses of up to eight hours, allowing it to better manage delayed glucose rises or prolonged eating. “It detects that I’m going low or high and adjusts my insulin, and that helps in my really busy lifestyle,” Chef José said. “I don’t have to prick myself or do injections.”
The Tandem Mobi is just one of the pump options offered by Tandem Diabetes Care, which is constantly working to reduce the burden of diabetes management by creating innovative solutions and empowering patients.
Tandem Diabetes Care President and CEO John Sheridan spoke to the importance of this mission at the event, sharing that two of his childhood friends live with type 1 diabetes. They didn’t use Tandem products when he first joined the company, but they’ve since become dedicated users. Sheridan said at the event that their ongoing feedback helps guide and inspire both his and the Tandem team’s work.
Throughout the afternoon, guests had honest and heartfelt conversations about what it’s like to live with type 1 diabetes. They bonded over diagnosis stories, hospital experiences, and the daily management of blood glucose, and they weren’t afraid to be vulnerable about the financial costs of care or the emotional impact it can have on relationships, parenting, and sleep. They even shared tips on navigating diabetes devices with different outfits—especially when creating content—and offered their own resources of support.
Jules McKelvey, one of the attendees, called the event more than a meal; it was a chance to feel seen, supported, and connected with others who share similar challenges to him. Chef José agreed. While his goal is often to be the one inspiring others, Chef José found that he was the one feeling the inspiration that afternoon. “For the first time I felt understood by all the people around me,” he said.
This may have been the first time, but it won’t be the last. Chef José said he hopes to plan more events in the future that unite the diabetes community through food.
- As of June, 2025. Data on file, Tandem Diabetes Care.
- Seagrove PWD Survey: Nov. 2024.
Important Safety Information: RX ONLY. Indicated for patients with type 1 diabetes, 2 years and older and for patients with type 2 diabetes, 18 years and older. BOXED WARNING: Control-IQ+ technology should not be used in anyone under the age of 2 years old with type 1 diabetes or under the age of 18 years old with type 2 diabetes. It should also not be used in patients who require less than a total daily insulin dose of 5 units of insulin per day or who weigh less than 20 pounds, as those are the required minimum values needed for Control-IQ+ to operate safely. Safety info: tandemdiabetes.com/safetyinfo.
