Luis Manuel Martinez was born and raised in Alaska, from parents of Mexico.  Luis and his brothers were raised in the small family business, The Fur Factory, where his parents taught Luis the furrier trade.  Luis is a graduate and current assistant professor for the Culinary Arts and Hospitality program of the Career and Technical College, at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.  Luis has been an ice carving apprentice under Julio Martinez for five years.  His three children also learn to carve.  This will be Luis’ first single block sculpture: “I Live for Cooking”.