Born in Acapulco, Mexico and transplanted to Atlanta at three years old, Luis grew up in the restaurant industry as his parents worked in family-owned restaurants. After culinary school, his goal as a young chef was to gain as much experience and knowledge as possible and took the first opportunity to cook abroad and went to Spain. Upon returning to the states, he worked in some of Atlanta’s most prestigious kitchens, gaining experience in various cuisines and techniques. Most recently, Luis ran the kitchen at Aziza, Oliva Restaurant Group’s fine dining eatery that interprets modern Israeli and Middle Eastern cuisine. He is currently helming the kitchen at Oliva’s newest project, Carmel located in Buckhead Village. Carmel is a love letter to the coast that takes inspiration from the Californian and Yucatan shores where Luis gives diners a bold, seasonal, and ingredient-focused menu. Luis joined the IDE family in 2022 as an Iconoclast Dinner Culinary Honoree.