Tacos, Tequila and Under-the-Radar Mexico with Michelin-Starred Chef Santiago Lastra

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Nicknamed the “nomadic chef,” Santiago Lastra has cooked the
learnings of his international travels into the Michelin-star
kitchen of his Mexican-British fusion restaurant, KOL. Taking
inspiration from kitchens in the 27 countries he’s worked in,
Lastra has presented London with new ways to use local
ingredients, grounded in the flavours and techniques of Mexico,
his home country. Listen in as the pioneer culinarian details his
journey to not only success, but a sense of purpose. 


On the heels of three family deaths, the then 15-year-old
Santiago Lastra found solace in cooking for his mother and
brother. Watching from the kitchen, the young chef witnessed the
power of quality food to brighten the darkest of moments and has
chased that feeling ever since. 


After bouncing around the world, Lastra settled on London to open
KOL, the first Mexican restaurant in the UK to have a Michelin
star –– and within the first year of opening nonetheless.


The once solo-mission has now granted him with a new, and
thriving, community in a city where he’s most definitely made his
mark. Plus, Lastra gives insider tips on exploring Mexico City,
the origin place of his culinary career. 


This episode was recorded at Soho Works, the members-only
co-working space from Soho House with locations in Los Angeles,
London and New York. Visit sohoworks.com.


Keep up with our hosts’ travels and follow Fleur Rollet-Manus on
@fleur_rm and Amira Hashish on @thedesigneditor.