CHEF MARGARITA CARRILLO is one of the preeminent worldwide authorities on Mexican gastronomy, and there’s no better way for her to showcase her talents than as the executive chef at Cachito at The Reef 28 on Playa del Carmen. The hot spot for authentic Mexican cuisine takes diners on a culinary tour through Mexico, adding a global flair to fresh, local ingredients.
Carrillo actively contributes to the research, promotion and spread of traditional Mexican cuisine globally. In 2016 SER bestowed upon her the title of Ambassador of Mexican Cuisine; she’s also been recognized by the Government of Mexico and named the Vice President of Gastronomic Projects by the Conservatory of Mexican Gastronomic Culture.
WHICH DESTINATIONS INSPIRED YOU, AND HOW HAS THAT INSPIRATION TRANSLATED INTO YOUR CULINARY CONCEPTS? Japan, because of the order, discipline and respect to nature — they have a special and natural cuisine. The discipline and organization in the kitchen inspire me. These are important factors.
Oaxaca in Mexico has a culinary tradition of quality and creativity that goes back centuries and respects its history. They also respect local ingredients — which they fully utilize — and ancestral techniques. Being from the area myself, it’s a tie to my roots.
With Cachito, you can see these inspirations in the menu. We want to present Mexican cuisine in a simple and authentic way, given the parameters of local ingredients and of quality.
WHOM DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE YOUR CULINARY HERO? Alicia Gironella de’Angeli is important in my professional life. She is a woman who worked in Mexican cuisine for many years, and she has taken me with her to many parts of the world. It is because of her I began to travel to Europe, and I learned how to bring Mexican cuisine to other countries. Chef Gironella is always looking to see how to help and develop young talents. Her cooking is traditional without being square, so to speak. She is a creative and intelligent woman.
WHAT ONE PERSON MOST INFLUENCED YOUR COOKING STYLE? I have to say two: my mother and my maternal grandmother. They provided me with examples of cooking and how to make what they’re cooking with love and happiness for the family. In my own cooking, I extend this love and happiness to the restaurant business, infusing this family tradition into the restaurants.
My grandmother had a banquet business in Parral Chihuahua, and she gave cooking classes in the summer for us granddaughters — all 11 of us — in Juárez! We learned everything, from the most simple, like frijoles, to more complicated things like how to make pastillage to decorate cakes.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FOOD CITY? New York City — they have everything! It’s a cosmopolitan city where you can get just about anything you want. There are amazing restaurants of all types of cuisines … Asian; very good, delicious Mexican; and French … it’s a fantastic city to eat well!
WHAT DO YOU THINK THE NEXT BIG TREND ON THE FOOD SCENE WILL BE? I think we’re returning to our roots, to the natural. And to me, this is good. I don’t think food made by a robot is the future. On the contrary, food that has cultural roots is the future. The rest are passing fads. But cuisine, since it is something alive, always evolves. I believe there is a strong movement toward going back to our roots, to a cuisine with history and to a respectful use of ingredients. And you can see this all immediately in the new menu I created for Cachito.
CACHITO
The Reef 28
1 Avenida Nte. and Calle 28 Nte.
77720 Playa del Carmen, Q.R.
Mexico
tel 52 984 206 5150
thereefresorts.com
Read This Next
Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedDaily
Mar 31, 2023JW Marriott Debuts in Spain with JW Marriott Hotel Madrid
JW Marriott makes its way into Spain with the unveiling of JW Marriott Hotel Madrid. The hotel lies within the Canalejas zone, merely steps away from theaters and prestigious art institutions, as well as other popular landmarks and attractions.
Sponsored Content
Treasure Every Moment in The Islands of Tahiti
Welcome to The Islands of Tahiti, where every moment is a treasure waiting to be discovered. From the moment you arrive, you will be greeted with warm hospitality, time-honored traditions and an awe-inspiring landscape that will take your breath away.
Daily
Mar 31, 2023Wynn Las Vegas Debuts Luxury Wine Weekend with Opus One Winery
Wynn Las Vegas and Opus One Winery partner for the ultimate weekend wine escape April 28–30, bringing the Opus One experience outside the Napa Valley estate for the first time. Participants enjoy in-depth master classes, intimate tasting room experiences, food and wine parings from Wynn chefs, and an Opus One Under the Stars outdoor feast.
Daily
Mar 31, 2023Italian Mansion, Winery Locanda La Raia Available for Private Stays
Looking for luxury in Italy’s Southern Piedmont Region? In the wine hills of Gavi, north and west of Genoa, Locanda La Raia offers 10 splendid guestrooms and two apartments on a 180- hectare estate. Once a countryside inn and post station serving travelers journeying through the area on horseback, the space has been meticulously restored by the Rossi Cairo family to showcase original features such as vaulted ceilings and exposed brickwork. Each guestroom has been individually decorated and now features enormous windows overlooking the surrounding landscape of lush gardens, rolling meadows and organic vineyards.
Sponsored Content
Exclusive Savings: Cruise Along the Danube River with Global Traveler
Exclusive Sailing with Global Traveler
Daily
Mar 30, 2023The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach’s Wellness Experiences
The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach offers travelers a new immersive wellness experience: Healing in Hawai’i.
4 Spring Hotel Openings
Daily
Mar 29, 2023Elk Cove Inn & Spa Review
eFlyer Reviews
Mar 29, 2023eFlyer News
Mar 29, 2023Puerto Rico’s Hotel El Convento Unveils Multimillion-Dollar Renovation
Hotel El Convento, one of Old San Juan’s most popular landmark hotels, recently completed a multimillion-dollar design and architectural renovation to its 81 rooms. The renovation blends Old World charm with Puerto Rico’s vibrant and modern energy.
Sponsored Content
Enter to Win $500 and Get Six Months’ Free Access to the New GT App
Now through May 8, sign up for a free six-month trial of the Global Traveler app and be automatically entered for a chance to win a $500 gift card of your choice for Amazon, Apple or American Express.
eFlyer News
Mar 29, 2023Etihad Airways Teams Up with Emirati Chef for In-Flight Ramadan Menu
Etihad Airways prepares a specially curated in-flight menu through the holy month of Ramadan. The menu comes thanks to the airline’s collaboration with Emirati Chef Khaled Alsaadi, in which Alsaadi recreates popular Ramadan dishes blending Emirati recipes with contemporary techniques and local ingredients.
ShareThis