Carlos Gaytán Speaking Fee: $10,000 to $20,000

Carlos Gaytán, born in 1970 in Huitzuco, Guerrero, Mexico, is a chef renowned for blending traditional Mexican flavors with French culinary techniques. His culinary journey began at the age of 20 when he moved to Chicago, Illinois, seeking new opportunities. Starting as a dishwasher at the Sheraton North Shore Hotel, Gaytán quickly advanced through the ranks, working as a cook and later as chef-garde manger and banquet chef at the Union League Club of Chicago. Under the mentorship of Chef Dominique Tougne at Bistro Margot, he honed his skills in French cuisine, which would later influence his unique culinary style. In 2008, Gaytán opened Mexique, a French-Mexican restaurant in Chicago, where he became the first Mexican-born chef to earn a Michelin star in 2013, a distinction he retained in 2014. After closing Mexique in 2018 to reconnect with his roots, he traveled extensively in Mexico, deepening his understanding of his heritage and culinary traditions. In 2019, he returned to Chicago and opened Tzuco, a restaurant that showcases his vision of Mexican cuisine infused with French techniques. Tzuco has received critical acclaim and was named a semifinalist for Best New Restaurant by the James Beard Foundation in 2020. Beyond his work in Chicago, Gaytán has expanded his culinary influence internationally. In 2024, he opened three Mexican dining concepts—Paseo, Céntrico, and Tiendita—in the Downtown Disney District at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, in partnership with Patina Restaurant Group. These establishments bring his refined approach to Mexican cuisine to a broader audience. Additionally, Gaytán's restaurant Ha' in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, earned a Michelin star in 2024, making him one of the few chefs to hold Michelin stars in two different countries. A passionate advocate for Mexican cuisine, Gaytán has appeared on numerous cooking shows as a judge in both the U.S. and Mexico and starred on Univision’s Familias Frente al Fuego. He is also the President of Bocuse d'Or Mexico and the founder of the Culinary Institute by Southwest University, aiming to inspire and educate future generations of chefs. Through his work, Gaytán continues to elevate Mexican culinary traditions on the global stage, blending heritage with innovation.