TULUM FOOD, SPIRITS & WINE FESTIVAL

Rico Torres is chef and co-owner at Mixtli, which is the natural evolution serving his next higher purpose—to re-embrace his heritage and to create. Torres and Galicia have been named Food & Wine Magazine’s “Best New Chefs,” in 2017 and James Beard semifinalists for “Best Chef Southwest” in 2018. The pair has also been featured in Texas Monthly, USA Today, Travel Channel, and more.

 

Torres was born in El Paso, Texas, in 1978. Early on, he was immersed in the heritage of Zacatecas and greater Mexico, both in travel and through daily life. Even as a child Torres knew immediately that the kitchen held his heart.

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In October 2003, Torres started a small catering service called Rico Caters. The company quickly became known for its innovative cuisine and exceptional customer service. Torres also staged and cooked in different kitchens around the country through the years.

 

In 2013, Torres opened Mixtli with Chef Diego Galicia and has continued to dedicate himself to his craft. Each time a new menu concept is developed for Mixtli, Torres researches for countless of hours at The University of Texas at San Antonio’s library, where he has a special partnership and is able to review historic Mexican cookbooks and recipes for inspiration.

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Torres currently resides in San Antonio, Texas, with his wife, Trina.