What’s New With Chefs?A Midseason Rundown By Susan Knight York

I started a food blog back in 2009 and it changed my life. 

After 25 years of cooking classes and making a new recipe every week, the National Restaurant Association invited me to their annual show. Suddenly, I was on every agency list in Chicago; getting invitations to restaurant openings and dinners, all the while traveling and juggling a full-time job. 

It seems like yesterday that I arrived in San Miguel de Allende for a project, staying for six months to write about food. Thirteen years later, I’m still here. 

San Miguel de Allende’s food scene seldom skips a beat, and even today, I still take a breath and wonder what’s coming next. So here we go with a rundown…

Did you know that Chef Aldo Rivera of The Rosewood Hotel came from Alinea in Chicago; one of only 13 restaurants in the U.S. to earn the coveted Michelin 3-Star rating? His new menu at Luna Rooftop is over-the-top.

Chef Jorge Avendaño is now at Altar full-time with another new project on the horizon. Shall I repeat the good news?

A transplant from México City, Chef Rodrigo Carrasco of Martez will cook at Millesime GNP Weekend on May 24th with drinks created by legendary mixologist, Mike Espinosa. 

Bread made from crickets flour is Panio’s latest project; developed by mastermind, Alberto Laposse. I recently spent three days there learning to make bread; the A-team is headed up by Hugo Rodríguez. 

Chef Arturo Sandoval wrapped up his culinary deep-dive into Spain’s gastronomy and a week later, put five, incredible new dishes on the menu at Atrio. He’s back in Spain for another round now. 

A menu is a work in progress and so is Chef Andrea Bautista, who just returned from cooking in Italy. Look for mouth-watering additions to Fari’s menu, brought to you by the game changers, Toño Aranda Lavalle and his brother, Andrés. 

What is a sea bass collar and why is it something I want to eat every day? Chef Regina Aguilar of Hacintto continues to amaze. Her culinary star is rising, along with Chef Erick Martínez, who offers his popular Angus Burger on the 99 pesos menu at Tené Kitchen and Bar; the hottest new menu in town. 

Some food for thought: will giving employees a better work-life balance help resolve the shortage of chefs and restaurant workers in San Miguel de Allende?

Former Rosewood chef, Héctor Gloria, is now at Santa Catalina Winery; a stunning, new property from La Santísima Trinidad. And speaking of wines, we can now claim our experts: Guillaume Martin of Estoril; Andrés Amor, a Chef-Sommelier and university professor who selected Guanajuato wines for a dinner at Trazo 1810, and Erick Franco of Brutal Vinata de Barrio SMA; a wine bar in Dôce 18. 

Thanks to Jim McKeever and Alfredo García-Lucio of Néctar at Camino Silvestre, this vegan restaurant uses top-quality ingredients; many from their gardens. 

The Restaurant recently launched the Hippie Chick Smash Burger and a fabulous, new pork dish: Coffee Ancho Chili Smoked Pork Belly. Can you guess the secret ingredient? Even we didn’t get this one. 

Rosewood’s Executive Chef, Cesar Enciso, caught my dream job: changing menus for five different concepts and adding 15 new wines from San Miguel de Allende and the region at each property. For 15% off, show your resident’s card at Pirules and 1826; a new customer discount for locals only. 

Arif Towns Alonso opened Simbiosis; a mushroom boutique at Mercado Sano. Arif also leads expertly-guided foraging tours. 

Tacos by night? Andy’s, where else? Tacos by day? Michoacán chef, Fernanda Delano fits the bill with a taco cart on the side of Cava Sautto called Los de Asada. 

Opening soon is Local; a new restaurant by Chef Paulina Carreño of Panina. Her chef’s table for six makes Carreño the first female chef in San Miguel  de Allende to have one. That’s quite an accomplishment for someone who is already working like she’s got one Michelin star. 

And finally more good news from food lover, Dr. Leslie Flores, who says there’s a restaurant in Queretaro that’s as good as Taquería El Califa de León in México City. We think it’s time for a road trip!

Susan Knight York is a published photographer and travel journalist who has documented the gastronomy of San Miguel de Allende for over 13 years.