As Chef de Cuisine of Californios, the acclaimed two-Michelin-starred restaurant in San Francisco, Kaylin Lloyd brings a deep connection to food, culture, and culinary excellence. Her passion for cooking was sparked in childhood, cooking alongside her father, and later refined through formal training at the Culinary Institute of America.

Lloyd honed her skills at Betony in New York City before earning the prestigious Mentor BKB grant, which took her to Attica in Melbourne. During her time there, Attica hosted the World’s 50 Best Awards Celebration and she witnessed Eleven Madison Park (EMP) being named the #1 restaurant in the world, a moment that foreshadowed her own tenure at the legendary establishment. She further expanded her expertise at EMP, including contributing to their winter pop-up in Aspen.

In 2019, Lloyd joined Californios, where she worked her way through every station in the kitchen, ultimately earning the title of Chef de Cuisine in 2024. A proud Black Caribbean American chef, her journey is a testament to her resilience, dedication, and unwavering pursuit of culinary excellence.