FEATURED GUEST CHEFS

Celia Florián and her son, Alam David Mendez Florián, will bring the vibrant flavors and traditions of Oaxaca, Mexico to Comida 2026. Florián is the cocinera and owner of Oaxaca City’s acclaimed Las Quince Letras, while Mendez owns Washington, D.C.’s Apapacho Taqueria with his wife, pastry chef Elisa Reyna. Deeply committed to preserving traditional Oaxacan cuisine, both draw upon culinary knowledge passed through generations. Florián learned from her mother and grandmother in their traditional kitchens and later shared that wisdom with her son. Their appearance at Comida will mark the first time they have collaborated professionally.

The pair represent two generations of culinary excellence. Florián is internationally recognized for her mastery of Oaxacan ingredients and techniques, from complex moles and native maize varieties to the region’s remarkable diversity of chiles. She founded the Oaxaca Association of Traditional Female Chefs, and in 2024 Las Quince Letras received a MICHELIN Bib Gourmand distinction. Mendez trained at the Instituto Culinario de México, represented Mexico at the IKA Culinary Olympics in Germany, and refined his craft at renowned restaurants including Can Fabes and Arzak before opening the celebrated Pasillo de Humo in Mexico City. Together, they honor the rich culinary heritage of Oaxaca while sharing its traditions with audiences around the world.