Christian Juarez from Restaurant Pistilos is a young chef on a mission. He is from the village of Santa Lucia Milpas Altas, just a few miles from Antigua. Aged just 23, he started out learning the art of cookery at some of the leading restaurants here in Antigua.
Since June 2017, he became sous chef at the renowned Restaurante Pistilos, set within the gorgeous boutique Hotel Mil Flores. It was only a few months later that Christian was promoted to head chef.
Whilst eating some of the finest tuna tartare with an exquisite tomato marmalade and pickled zucchini, he explained his dreams for the future.
Chef Juarez told me that he is thankful to have been given the opportunity to being head chef at Restaurante Pistilos, and to demonstrate by using local produce the Haute Cuisine of this region. His mantra is – Preparation- Work- Intelligence-Ideas. This is evident with some of the finest cuisine that can be enjoyed in Antigua.
Having learned his trade whilst on the job, you can see the determination he has to go to the next level. Thanks to Restaurante Pistilos, Christian Juarez is heading off in a few months to do an internship for three months at Pujol – named the twelfth best restaurant of the world (The World’s 50 Best Restaurants).
Of course, Chef Juarez is excited by this prospect.
No restaurant in Guatemala has ever been included in the list- Within a few years, Chef Juarez’s aim as head chef is to have Restaurante Pistilos included in Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants. This would be a huge achievement for him, for Restaurante Pistilos and for Guatemala!
If you would like to taste the cuisine, and perhaps meet Christian Juarez, then here are the details of Restaurant Pistilos.
3a Calle Oriente #16A, Antigua Guatemala
Tel: 7832-9715
