Chef Luis Diego

Chef At Home in Chira

My name is Luis Diego and I have over 16 years of experience in the culinary industry. During this time, I have had the opportunity to hone my cooking skills and have gained a deep understanding of Costa Rican cuisine. As a chef, I believe it is essential to be familiar with a variety of cooking techniques and culinary styles. However, my passion and specialty lies in the local cuisine of Costa Rica. I have a great respect and love for the rich diversity of ingredients and flavors found in this region. In addition to working with meats and seafood, I also love exploring culinary possibilities with local vegetables. Costa Rica is known for its impressive array of fresh fruits and vegetables, which provide an endless palette of flavors and textures to experiment with in the kitchen. From ripe plantains to yuca and chayote, these ingredients are central to many of Costa Rica's traditional dishes and play an important role in my cooking. One of my favorite dishes to prepare is "Casado." It is a traditional Costa Rican dish consisting of rice, beans, ripe plantains, a salad, and a choice of meat or fish. It is a simple dish but full of flavor My experience as a chef in Costa Rica has also allowed me to learn about the various cultures that have influenced the country's cuisine. From indigenous people to Spanish and Africans, each group has left its mark on Costa Rican cuisine, and I feel grateful for having the opportunity to learn and work with these unique flavors.

For me, cooking is...

Cooking for me is a passion, an art, an act of love. It is a universal language that unites us, nourishes us and brings us joy. As a chef, cooking.

I learned to cook at...

My journey into the world of cooking began in the heart of my home, my family. I think that is where you learn the best recipes, the most authentic.

A cooking secret...

A little secret that I have learned throughout my years in the kitchen is that, many times, less is more. Instead of overwhelming a dish with too.

My menus

México

STARTER

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Traditional Guacamole Fresh mashed avocado with onion, cilantro, lime and salt, served with crispy tortilla chips

Northern-Style Refried Beans with Chorizo Creamy refried beans cooked with chorizo, served with tortilla chips

Green Shrimp Aguachile Fresh shrimp marinated in lime juice with green chili sauce, cucumber and red onion

Chicken Tinga Shredded chicken simmered in tomato and chipotle sauce with onions

Mexican-Style Mixed Ceviche Fresh fish and shrimp cured in citrus juice with tomato, onion, cilantro and chili

FIRST COURSE

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Chicken Flautas in Red or Green Sauce Crispy rolled tortillas filled with chicken, topped with salsa, cream and fresh cheese

Esquites Sautéed corn kernels with butter, epazote, lime, chili powder, mayonnaise and cheese

Mexican Street Corn (Elotes Locos) Corn on the cob topped with mayonnaise, cheese, chili powder and lime

Aztec Soup Tomato-based broth with crispy tortilla strips, pasilla chili, cream, cheese and avocado

Sweet Plantain with Cheese Fried ripe plantain served with melted fresh cheese

MAIN COURSE

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Chicken Mole Chicken breast served with traditional Mexican mole sauce, rich and complex in flavor

Handmade Quesadillas Corn tortillas filled with cheese and your choice of chicken, shrimp, beef or pork

Stuffed Poblano Peppers Poblano peppers stuffed with cheese or meat, lightly battered and served with tomato sauce

Veracruz-Style Fish Fish fillet cooked in tomato sauce with olives, capers, onions and herbs

Arrachera Molcajete Grilled skirt steak served in a hot stone bowl with cactus, cheese, chorizo and salsas

Roasted Pork Bites Golden roasted pork served with red rice and white simmered beans

Mixed Taco Experience Birria, campechano, chicken, pork, beef and shrimp, served with tortillas, onions, cilantro, lime and salsas

Stuffed Chimichangas, Fried Burrito Stuffed With, Shrimp, Beef, Pork, PolStuffed Chimichangas, fried burrito stuffed with, shrimp, beef, pork, chicken Or shrimp Cheese and sauces

Gorditas Filled with ; pork, beef, chicken or shrimp salad and sauces

DESSERT

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Classic vanilla flan with caramel

Rice pudding and cinnamon. Cold or hot according to your choice

Cake of three milks

Napoli italy

STARTER

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Prosciutto with burratta, bread and arugula salad

Salmon carpaccio, capers, and bread

Brusquetas with roasted vegetables and gratin cheeses

Caprese salad, tomato, mozzarella cheese and basil pesto

Antipasto with grilled vegetables, cheeses and jams

Mussels in white wine and garlic sauce

FIRST COURSE

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Tomato soup with croutons and Parmesan cheese

Caprese focaccia

Romaine salad , Spinach, lettuce, tomatoes, anchovies, croutons and Parmesan cheese dressing

Squash cream with cane honey and pinky shrimp

Caesar salad with crotons and grilled chicken

Breaded squid and shrimp with natural tomato sauce

MAIN COURSE

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Risotto with mushrooms and truffle with beef tenderloin in wine sauce

Risotto with asparagus and shrimp

Rissoto Seafood in pomodoro sauce

Rissoto Created with parmesan in aurora sauce with salmon

Rissoto vegetariano con verduras frescas y parmesano

Spaghetti Ala carbonara, with guanciale and egg

Fetuccini Alfredo with mushrooms and ham accompanied by chicken breast

Rigatoni with meatballs in red sauce with guanciale

Espagueti Bolognese-style

Fetuccini a la matriciana, Olives, capers, onion, garlic and shrimp

Sautéed seafood over pasta or risotto

Milanese chicken breast with sauce and cheese, vegetables and potato

Beef Milanese with sauce and cheese, potatoes and vegetables

Any dish that comes to mind lk we can make

DESSERT

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Tiramizu

Panacotta

Angelottis with Nutella

Essence of Costa Rica

STARTER

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Fish ceviche with onion, sweet chili, coriander, lemon and tostones

Mixed ceviche, pinky shrimp and fish with smells and corn tortillas

Palmito ceviche with avocado, mango and passion fruit

Patacones with shredded meat and cheese

Banana basket stuffed with shrimp in white sauce

Banana basket filled with shredded meat and cheese

Chorizo with tortillas and Creole slaw

Chayote and carrot mince with ground beef and tortilla

Tico salad, lettuce, fresh cheese Breaded, sweet corn, tomato, cucumber and blackberry sauce

Fried Tico tacos with corn tortilla and stuffed with meat with slaw and salsas

Shredded tacos in cheese crust and fresh salad

FIRST COURSE

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THE FOLLOWING DISHES REPRESENT THE TYPICAL FOOD OF OUR DAILY GASTRONOMY, THEY ARE AVAILABLE IN CENTRAL MARKETS, OR IN BARS THEY ARE SMALL PLATES BUT WITH A HOMEMADE FLAVOR AND BEAUTIFUL STORIES

Fried pork rib, with yucca and cabbage salad

Beef tongue in tomato sauce with tortilla or rice

Chickpeas with achiotado chicken and rice

Lentil and chicken stew with homemade tortillas or rice

Cream of seafood with vegetables

White beans with pork hoof and rice

Potato and chorizo empanada with spicy sauce

Cassava spheres stuffed with cheese and meat

Seafood soup with coconut milk

Breaded Shrimp with Mango Salsa

Squash cream with pinky shrimp and crotones

Black bean soup with hard-boiled egg and rice

Sausage with homemade tortillas and cabbage with sauces

Soup (meat pot with vegetables) white rice

MAIN COURSE

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Casado (in Spanish casado) Typical dish composed of rice, beans, salad, vegetable mince, ripe plantain, tortilla and the following proteins to choose from

Chicken in tomato sauce with potatoes, Grilled or breaded chicken breast Breaded or garlic fish fillet Bisteck with onions or chimichurri BBQ pork rib, or spiced pork chop. Beef in sauce with Panamanian chili and potatoes

Rice with shrimp, salad and potatoes

Chicken Rice with Ground Beans and Russian Salad

Rice with seafood, potatoes and salad

Fried snapper with head, patacones, ground beans and Creole salad

Rice and beans cooked with coc milk accompanied by bananas, cabbage salad and jerck chicken

Chifrijo bowl of rice, baby beans, tortilla chips, picó de gallo, Avocado and pork rinds

Pork rib with mini potatoes and mixed salad

DESSERT

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Rice pudding

Coconut flan

Ice cream cup with jelly and fruits. Churchill,

Churchill, snowflake with glue, powdered milk and condensed milk and ice cream

Seafood and fish

STARTER

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Sea carpaccio, tuna or octopus

Tuna tartare with mango and avocado

Tuna sashimi

Tuna or sea bass tiradito

Fish, shrimp or mixed ceviche

FIRST COURSE

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Breaded Shrimp with Coconut and Spicy Pineapple Sauce

Shrimp croquettes and garlic mayonnaise

Sautéed octopus with Marinara sauce

Spring Roll Shrimp

Seafood broth in water or coconut milk

MAIN COURSE

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PEEL AND Eat, Shrimp, lobster, potatoes, corn, Zuquini and green salad

Fisherman's Whims, Lobster Tails, Shrimp, Mussels, Clams, Octopus and vegetables and potatoes

The fisherman's tray. Everything our artisanal fishermen brought us today. Whole lobsters, jumbo shrimp, octopus, clams, oysters, mahi-mahi and yellowfin tuna fillets, asparagus, potatoes, corn on the cob, and seafood rice (all grilled)

Seafood rice with mixed seafood, potatoes and salad

Rice with shrimp, salad and potatoes au gratin

Deep sea risotto, shrimp, lobster, and seafood

Fried snapper or grilled with patacones, salads and rice

Grilled fish fillet with Sauce of your choice, garlic, blackened or white. Potatoes and vegetables

Sautéed seafood mix with mashed potatoes , vegetables and salad

DESSERT

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Lime pie

Coconut flan

Tiramizu with Nutella

Spanish Menu

STARTER

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Traditional Spanish omelette

Homemade Iberian ham croquettes

Tomato bread with serrano ham

Garlic shrimp

Scrambled eggs with chistorra

FIRST COURSE

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Marinated anchovies with olive oil

Galician-style octopus (tapas portion)

Spanish meatballs in tomato sauce

Patatas bravas with spicy tomato sauce and aioli

Spanish cheese selection with honey and walnuts

MAIN COURSE

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Traditional Valencian paella (chicken, rabbit, and vegetables)

Seafood paella (shrimp, squid, mussels, and catch of the day

Black rice with squid and aioli

Arroz del Señorito (peeled seafood and catch of the day)

Creamy seafood rice with catch of the day

6. Classic seafood fideuá with aioli

Black fideuá with squid and cuttlefish

Mixed fideuá (seafood and pork)

Oven-baked catch of the day with papas panaderas

Catch of the day (or choice of fish) in Vizcaína sauce

Grilled skirt steak with piquillo peppers and oven-baked mashed potatoes

Beef tenderloin with red wine reduction and papas panaderas

Pork chop with Spanish-style sauce or whole-grain mustard, papas panaderas, and roasted vegetables

DESSERT

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Caramelized Catalan cream

Santiago almond cake

Churros with hot chocolate

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Chef Luis's reviews

4.61

•

64 services

Luis and his crew were amazing. The menu was outstanding and was able to customize with ease for our bigger group needs. Highly recommend him!!

Chef Luis is the best. We enjoyed every meal and looked forward to dinner every night. Definitely recommend him!!

Chef Luis was INCREDIBLE. highly recommend just giving him your dietary restrictions and letting him do the rest. He came and cooked us lunch and dinner for 17ppl in an air bnb and was very professional. Would hire him again in a heartbeat

We had the absolute pleasure of working with Chef Luis during our time in Costa Rica, and the experience exceeded every expectation. He prepared a full range of meals for us, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and each one was exceptional. The food was not only consistently delicious, but beautifully presented, with thoughtful attention to detail that elevated every meal. What truly set Luis apart was the care and intention he brought to his craft. He took the time to walk us through each dish, sharing why he selected certain ingredients and how the flavors came together. It created a deeper appreciation for the meals and made the experience feel personal and immersive. Beyond his culinary talent, Luis was incredibly kind, professional, and respectful in our space. He maintained a spotless kitchen, leaving everything even cleaner than he found it after every meal, which we deeply appreciated. If you have the opportunity to work with Chef Luis, take it without hesitation. He brings not just outstanding food, but a full, thoughtful, and memorable dining experience. Highly recommend.

Chef Luis and his sous Chef José were fantastic. They made a delicious meal for me and my friends. Each course was beautifully plated and the flavors were wonderful! It was awesome to see how much Chef Luis loves his Costa Rican culture and cuisine and how excited he was to share it with us. Highly recommend!!

Chef Luis Diego fue espectacular. Elegimos un menú italiano para este San Valentín, y fue todo lindo, la decoración, los detalles, la comida, desde la entrada hasta el postre. Luis también es súper discreto, dejándonos tranquilos mientras él cuida de los detalles en la cocina. Le recomiendo, y lo considero para otras ocasiones.

Luis was amazing. Each meal was beyond perfect, we went with local Costa Rican cuisine every day and every course was as good as the next. Luis was kind, communicated perfectly, and even went two hours each way to meet us at our AirBnB. I can't recommend him enough. I travel a lot and live in Chicago where we have incredible food and some of his dishes compared to some of the best meals ever. A++++ 5 stars

Our meal with Luis was fantastic. He was incredibly attentive to our group’s needs, was flexible in developing a customized menu for our party, and was mindful of any dietary restrictions. Overall, if you have the opportunity to work with Luis - do it!

Chef Luis was on time without any issues, prepared a really nice meal for all of us. It was a great experience for my dad’s birthday. The food was delicious!

We hired a private chef to prepare Christmas dinner while we vacationed in La Fortuna. Chef Diego did not disappoint. He made traditional Costa Rican food consisting of empanadas, slow braised pork ribs and tres leches for dessert. All food was top notch and I’d highly recommended his services.

Professional Review of Chef Luis Diego Solano From the very first interaction, Chef Luis Diego Solano has been an absolute pleasure to work with. His communication was prompt and informative, and he provided exceptional detail about his services from the outset. What truly sets Chef Diego apart is his consistent excellence across all areas—culinary quality, presentation, professionalism, and attentiveness to dietary needs. Chef Diego is a highly motivated and inspired culinary professional, bringing creativity and passion to every dish he prepares. The level of service he offers is truly first-class. His client onboarding process is thorough and personalized—he takes the time to understand your tastes, dietary preferences, and event goals. His punctuality and reliability are noteworthy; he consistently delivers exactly what he promises. The quality of his meals is outstanding—each dish is expertly prepared, thoughtfully customized, and absolutely delicious. His menu is extensive and ever-evolving, accommodating a wide range of dietary needs. He is also very flexible with scheduling, which made organizing our experience seamless. From grocery shopping to full clean-up, Chef Diego handles every detail, allowing guests to simply relax and enjoy. Thanks to him, my family and I were able to enjoy a leisurely, beautifully prepared breakfast, lunch, and dinner—all in one day—without spending a moment in the kitchen. It created the perfect atmosphere for celebrating my mother’s 60th birthday, and the homemade feel of the food made the day even more special. Our only regret is that Chef Diego doesn’t operate closer to our home. However, we would absolutely book his services again the next time we are in Costa Rica. Thank you from Fortune Family!

The chef was outstanding, punctual, attentive, and immediately got to work on preparing the menu. The presentation and quality of the food were exceptional. He also cleaned up thoroughly afterward, leaving me with a truly memorable experience.

Chef Diego was incredible. His food was flavorful and the presentation was beautiful. He’s friendly and professional. He cooked dinners and breakfast for our family of 16 with ease and everyone loved the food. I would not hesitate to hire or recommend him again!

Luis was great! Each dish had so much flavor it left me wanting more. I highly recommend Luis for any occasion!

We stayed at the Four Seasons Papagayo in a villa with a full kitchen and used Luis for 2 dinners. The communication was great, the food was fantastic. He was nonintrusive while cooking and dinner was served for a party of 8 adults and 4 kids on time. I would definitely recommend him and use his services again.

Chef Luigi made a delicious dinner for our hungry family of six. We are in Tamarindo on vacation and Chef was able to work with the limited supply of pots, pans and dishes in our rented condo while we enjoyed sunset cocktails by the pool.