Hispanic Top Chef 2025
Spring 2025
National Hispanic Cultural Center, Albuquerque, NM
Experience the fiery competition of Hispanic Top Chef, celebrating Latin culinary excellence through grill-driven challenges and cultural heritage.
Presented by the Hispanic Restaurant Association.
About Us
Our mission is to advocate on behalf of the Hispanic restaurateur in order to open and operate their restaurants more effectively and efficiently. Our vision is to educate and elevate the Hispanic community across a multi-generational spectrum.
What We Do
We are the one-stop shop for all the various needs of restaurateurs, chefs, and entrepreneurs.
The world has long known about the talent within the Hispanic culinary community. Our goal is to recognize, showcase, and amplify that talent to the broader world. This is the essence of our vision: educate and elevate.
John Jaramillo
President
Our Contestants
Introducing Our Culinary Contenders: Meet the talented chefs vying for the title of Hispanic Top Chef.
Chef Marco Colin
As a “homegrown” chef hailing from Chicago, Marco Colin has lived in Chicago his entire life and grew up in the kitchen. From a young…
Our Judges
Meet the Culinary Maestros: Our esteemed panel of judges brings decades of expertise and passion to Hispanic Top Chef.
Chef Manny Barella
Born in Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico, Manuel (Manny) Barella took a leap to leave law school and enrolled in a culinary program to pursue his…
Chef Sergio Ledesma
Chef Sergio Ledesma is a culinary maestro whose remarkable career spans over a quarter-century, culminating in his current prestigious position as Executive Chef at Hotel…
Chef Pablo Aya
Chef Pablo Aya is a culinary virtuoso with over 15 years of experience, whose passion for creating extraordinary dishes is matched only by his exceptional…
What People Say
See what the voices of success in the community have to say.
“It was a life-changing experience being mentored by Chefs Fernando and Pablo. I most highly recommend anything they have to offer.”
– Chef Rafael Zamora, Hotel La Fonda (Santa Fe, NM)
“I gained inspiration and insight from Chefs Fernando and Pablo. They helped me see the future and set me up on a path to success.”
– Sebastian Cruz, Sea Salt Healthy Kitchen (St. Simons Island, GA)
“Learning from chefs such as Chef Pablo Aya, Chef Fernando Stovell, Chef Betty Basquez was a priceless experience I will forever thank the HRA for. Invest in yourself and your future by learning from people who inspire you to be and see more everyday.”
– Chef Carolina Zubiate, Yuan Wonton (Denver, CO)
Join us in changing the culinary industry.