The Culinary Institute of America

Galaxy Tacos, San Diego

Christine Rivera, Chef de Cuisine at Galaxy Tacos in San Diego, talks to us about making their own in-house masa and tortillas. Their Baja Fish Tacos, extra crispy from the beer and vodka in the batter, are topped with cabbage, crema, and pico de gallo. Next she shows us how they make Clam Birria, using the sauce from their birria short rib tacos.
Get recipes and watch the full series here.

Chef Edgar Palau, Benno at Hotel San Cristobal, Todos Santos

Next we visit Benno at Hotel San Cristóbal in Todos Santos, Mexico. At this beachfront restaurant, Executive Chef Edgar Palau serves contemporary Mexican and Mediterranean flavors rooted in the bounty of Baja’s seafood.
 
Get the Recipe and watch the full series with subtitles and closed captioning here!:
https://youtu.be/EhzkDBR4txg

Javier Plascencia, chef owner, Jazamango, Todos Santos

Chef Javier Plascencia talks to us from his restaurant Jazamango in Todos Santos. He shows us his vegetable garden, and some of his dishes: Grilled Octopus with Beet Aguachile; Panela with Tomatoes and Strawberries; Grilled Chocolate Clams; Rabbit Stew with Fennel; and Ceviche with Pickled Green Strawberries.
Get recipes and watch the full series here.

Chef Enrique Olvera at Manta, Cabo San Lucas

Chef-owner Enrique Olvera talks to us at his restaurant Manta, in Cabo San Lucas. He shows us how he makes Veracruz-style Ceviche and Mojo de Ajo, and talks about his food philosophy.
Get Recipes and watch the full series with closed captioning at:
http://www.ciaprochef.com/wca/baja/

Sabina Bandera, chef owner, La Guerrerense Seafood Cart and Sabina Restaurant, Ensenada

Next we visit Sabina Bandera, who is chef and owner of the celebrated La Guerrerense Seafood Cart and Sabina Restaurant in Ensenada. She shows us a classic Baja dish, the fish taco, which she makes with battered and fried yellow tail, topped with cabbage, salsa roja, pico de gallo, pickled white onions with oregano, salsa verde, and crema. She also shows us her famous seafood pozol with octopus, squid, clams, and shrimp, chiles, epazote, and hominy. Her seafood tostadas and cocktails have earned her international acclaim and a visit from Anthony Boudain.
Get recipes and watch the full series here.

Chef Miguel Angel Guerrero, La Esperanza Baja Med, Valle de Guadalupe

Miguel Angel Guerrero is an avid hunter and the chef-owner of La Esperanza Baja Med in Valle de Guadalupe. He talks about what “Baja Med” cuisine means in his restaurant: Using local Baja products, cooking with Mediterranean-inspired techniques, and bringing in Asian flavors influenced by the region’s history of Asian immigration. After a morning of hunting, he prepares three dishes back at his restaurant: Trio of Cow Tongue, Seared Tuna and Seared Loin of Rabbit; Grouper with Grilled Kale and Seared Crumbled Cows Stomach; and Octopus with Grilled Kale, Tomato Coulis, and Fried Potatoes.
Get recipes and watch the full series here.

Javier Plascencia, chef owner, Finca Altozano, Valle de Guadalupe

Surrounded by a vegetable garden and vineyards, we visit the picturesque Finca Altozano in Valle de Guadalupe. Here Chef-owner Javier Plascencia prepares rustic cuisine that celebrates Baja’s local bounty. He shows us the restaurant’s most popular dishes: Octopus with Chile de Arbol, Hoisin Sauce, Peanuts, Mirin, Ponzu, Ginger, Lemongrass and Lime; and Grilled Quail Marinated in Lime, Rosemary, Garlic, Chile de Arbol, Chiltepin Served with Swiss Chard, Zucchini, and Carrots.
Get recipes and watch the full series here.
 

Chef Roberto Alcocer at Malva, Valle de Guadalupe

Roberto Alcocer, Chef Owner of Malva in Valle de Guadalupe, talks to us about the influences that go into each of his dishes: First, each dish must be Mexican; secondly, they must be made from all products from Baja; and third, the dishes must reflect the chef’s personal taste and history.
Get Recipes and watch the full series with closed captioning at:
http://www.ciaprochef.com/wca/baja/