Baja Chef Series

We invite you to our Baja Chef Series starting Sunday, September 16th. Three of Baja's Best Chefs will create unique a la carte menus in conjunction with Chef John Sedlar's Cielo Verde inspired menu.  Each Chef will host three nights in this three-week series with their menu (available all week) and collaborative cocktails with Executive Bar Director, Julian Cox, as well as the release of Playa's new Baja Punch. 

La Guerrerrense | Sunday, September 16th- Tuesday, September 18th

Sabina Banderas, the owner of La Guerrerense, celebrated 51 years of business this year. Her stand is likely the only of its kind in Mexico, a seafood stand that eclipses all others from the Gulf, the Sea of Cortez, the Pacific and the Caribbean Coasts of Mexico, and is regarded as one of the top street stands in the world. She is known for her broad use of salsas including dried chiles, oil and nuts that are unique to her street stand in Mexico. Her daughter, Mariana, a doctor during the  week, is the cocktailer and prepares seafood cocktails, raw clams and oysters. Sabina is known for her Tostadas of Sea Urchin, Sea Cucumber and Sea Snail topped with vegetables, seasonings, and complex pastes. La Guerrerense made her US debut at the LA Street Food Fest in 2011. She was awarded the LA Street Food Fest's "Best in Show" at this year's event by Judges Jennifer Sommer (Food & WIne), Jonathan Gold (LA Times) and Simon Majumdar (Iron Chef America). 

Benito Molina | Sunday, September 23rd- Tuesday, September 25th

Benito Molina's cooking reflects the freedom, spirit and tranquility of Ensenada. His approach, like many local chefs, is to let the ingredients stand out and speak for themselves, since they have some of the world's freshest seafood at their fingertips.Benito comes from Mexico City and brings that energy along with the influences of world travels into his Baja kitchen at his restaurant, Manzanilla. Manzanilla, with its bordello by the sea vibe, is the meeting place for Baja's wine and food industry.Molina is one of the greatest chefs in Baja, and in Mexico. He brings together the urban cutting edge of Mexico City and the best of Baja flavors with his award winning world class cuisine. Benito was both a judge and crowd favorite at the 2011 LA Street Food Fest event he participated in with fellow Baja chef, Javier Plascencia.

Chef Guillermo "Oso" Campos Moreno, his brother Pablo Campos, and Orlando "Cricket" Miguel de Monte opened Tacos Kokopelli (named after the Hopi god of fertility and mischief) in January 2012 and already have made a name for themselves with the locals and beyond. Chef Oso--the backbone of the operation--attended Tijuana's culinary arts school then went on to work in restaurants throughout Mexico (including a stint as executive chef at the Parque Bicentario in Guanajuato) and the Michelin-starred (three, if you're curious) Oud Sluis in the Netherlands before returning to Tijuana. After a partnership dissolved over a restaurant in Rosarito, he did what he could on a limited budget--he opened a street stand.  The Tacos Kokopelli team is boldly leading the next generation of Tijuana chefs with an original concept and style that stands as a shining example and sets them apart from the rest. Tacos Kokopelli also made their debut appearance at this year's LA Street Food Fest earning an honorable mention from Judges Jennifer Sommer (Food & WIne), Jonathan Gold (LA Times) and Simon Majumdar (Iron Chef America). 

What people are saying?

LA Mag: Baja Celebrity Chefs Take Over Playa

LA Times: Playa Hosts Baja Guest Chefs For Three Weeks in September

Grub Street: Playa Launching Baja Chef Series in September

LA Weekly: Baja Chefs Coming to Playa This September