CRISTIAN GRANADA, EXECUTIVE CHEF

Loquita’s culinary team is led by Chef Cristian Granada, a dynamic Colombian chef whose passion for bold flavors and refined technique comes from deep roots and global training. With a culinary degree from the Fundación Universitaria del Área Andina and additional coursework from Le Cordon Bleu in Madrid, Spain, Cristian brings a fresh, worldly energy to Loquita, grounded in tradition but never afraid to push boundaries. Before coming to Santa Barbara, Cristian was part of the team at Xiquet by Danny Lledó, a Michelin-starred Spanish restaurant in Washington, D.C. He helped shape tasting menus that balanced modern Spanish flavors with fine-dining precision. From there, he stepped into the role of Executive Chef at El Secreto de Rosita, where he ran a fast-paced kitchen built on bold Latin American flavors and global influences. At the same time, he led the team at Sushería in Georgetown, where he leaned into Japanese technique and ingredients, blending structure with creativity. Cristian has been recognized by The Washington Post and the MICHELIN Guide as one of the standout Latin American chefs helping reshape fine dining. At Loquita, he brings that same energy—rooted in Valencian and Spanish tradition, sharpened by global experience, and always focused on the food.