Lorena Garcia

Chef Lorena Garcia is an acclaimed Venezuelan-born chef, restaurateur, entrepreneur, cookbook author, and television personality known for bringing modern Latin cuisine to a global audience. Inspired by her upbringing in Caracas, she blends traditional Latin flavors with international culinary techniques acquired while training and working in renowned kitchens across Europe and Asia. A graduate of Johnson & Wales University, Garcia also received an honorary doctorate in culinary arts.

Garcia rose to national prominence through television appearances on "Top Chef Masters," "America’s Next Great Restaurant," and numerous Telemundo and Univision programs. She is the author of two bestselling cookbooks and has been featured on major media outlets including CNN, "TODAY", "Good Morning America," and "The Talk."

A successful restaurateur, Garcia launched her first restaurant in Miami in 2002 and later expanded into airport dining concepts serving travelers across the United States. In 2017, she opened CHICA by Lorena Garcia at The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas, a celebrated showcase of Latin American cuisine that earned her recognition as the first female chef featured on the property's “Wall of Culinary Titans.” She later expanded the CHICA brand to Miami.

Beyond the kitchen, Garcia is a passionate philanthropist and founder of Big Chef, Little Chef, a nonprofit organization dedicated to combating childhood obesity by helping children and families develop healthier eating habits.