Cocina de Autor
| Company type | Restaurant brand |
|---|---|
| Industry | Hospitality, Fine dining |
| Founded | 2008 (Riviera Maya), 2016 (Los Cabos) |
| Headquarters | Riviera Maya and Los Cabos Corridor , Mexico |
Area served | Riviera Maya, Quintana Roo; Los Cabos Corridor, Baja California Sur |
Key people | Nahúm Velasco (head chef, Riviera Maya), Francisco Sixtos and Sidney Schutte (head chefs, Los Cabos) |
| Products | Fine dining, tasting menus |
| Parent | Grand Velas Resorts |
Cocina de Autor represents a Mexican dining concept within the all-inclusive Grand Velas Resorts, operating at their Riviera Maya and Los Cabos Corridor properties located in Quintana Roo and Baja California Sur, respectively. This brand is distinguished by its inventive culinary approach that emphasizes local ingredients. In 2024, Nahúm Velasco held the position of head chef at the Riviera Maya venue, while Francisco Sixtos and Sidney Schutte managed the kitchen at the Los Cabos site.
In the debut 2024 edition of the Michelin Guide for Mexico, both Cocina de Autor establishments were honored with one Michelin star each. This achievement positions Grand Velas as the sole all-inclusive resort group globally to feature two Michelin-starred restaurants. Additionally, both locations received the prestigious AAA Five Diamond Award from the American Automobile Association (AAA) in the same year.
History and description
Eduardo Vela Ruiz, a prominent entrepreneur, was the proprietor of Grand Velas Resorts—an all-inclusive resort chain in Mexico—until his passing in 2023. The company manages three beachfront resorts situated in Riviera Maya, Quintana Roo; Riviera Nayarit, Nayarit; and Los Cabos Corridor, Baja California Sur.
Each resort operates autonomously, offering guests an inclusive nightly rate that grants access to amenities such as pools, spas, and multiple dining options. At Grand Velas Riviera Maya, there are eight independent restaurants, including Cocina de Autor. Meanwhile, the Los Cabos property features seven dining establishments, with Cocina de Autor among them. The restaurant’s name translates to "signature cuisine," highlighting a chef’s unique culinary artistry. Critics characterize the brand’s offerings as highly imaginative.
Both Cocina de Autor venues present tasting menus consisting of eight to ten courses. The Riviera Maya location welcomes guests aged 12 and above and enforces a smart casual dress code. Conversely, the Los Cabos restaurant serves patrons 18 years or older under a business casual dress policy. Reservations are mandatory for dining at either site.
When the Michelin Guide debuted in Mexico in 2024, it awarded stars to 18 restaurants nationwide. Each Cocina de Autor establishment earned one star for delivering "high-quality cooking, worth a stop." This distinction makes Grand Velas unique as the only all-inclusive resort brand worldwide with two Michelin-starred venues.
Moreover, both restaurants secured the Five Diamond Award from the American Automobile Association (AAA), marking them as pioneers among all-inclusive resort restaurants to receive this honor.
Riviera Maya
Located in Solidaridad Municipality, Quintana Roo, the Riviera Maya resort commenced operations in 2008. Cocina de Autor launched simultaneously with the resort under the leadership of its inaugural head chef, Xavier Pérez Stone. In 2024, Nahúm Velasco—an alumnus of Centro Culinario Ambrosía who gained experience at Cocina de Autor as well as at Geranium and Passion—returned to lead the kitchen.
The menu at Cocina de Autor Riviera Maya draws inspiration from Mikel Alonso and Bruno Oteiza of Biko in Mexico City, who also collaborate closely with the restaurant. Travel Weekly noted its frequently refreshed offerings, which have included dishes such as spider crab paired with jackfruit, roasted pork accompanied by black garlic, and their signature Melipona honey. During the Sensory Voyage festival, Robb Report México featured selections like gazpacho, smoked whipped cream, Australian wagyu complemented by figs, Ossetra caviar, scallops prepared fricassee-style, and venison crusted with raisins and coffee served alongside pine nut and cinnamon sauce. The Michelin Guide commended this menu for its "innovative flavor pairings and engaging textures."
Los Cabos
Grand Velas Resorts launched its Los Cabos location in Baja California Sur in November 2016. The executive chefs at Cocina de Autor are Francisco Sixtos and Sidney Schutte. Sixtos, originally from Guadalajara, Jalisco, brings experience from prestigious hotels including Le Méridien, Hyatt, and Carlyle. Schutte, a Dutch culinary expert, is the head of Spectrum, a Michelin two-star establishment in Amsterdam as of 2024, and also leads Loto at Grand Velas Los Cabos. He characterizes his cooking style as "notable for bold flavors that stand out."
The menu highlights items such as scallops paired with miso butter, beef tenderloin accompanied by celery root purée, poached beets, and maitake mushrooms. The restaurant provides an intimate, softly illuminated setting designed to complement the dining experience. Other standout dishes include Australian wagyu enhanced with smoked parmesan and figs, oysters prepared with green apple aguachile, and fig served with arbequina juice. Alan Nájera from El Universal commended offerings like giant oysters with green apple aguachile and tempura crunch, longfin yellowtail featuring daikon and cilantro-habanero sauce, shiitake mushrooms combined with pecan and jicama tetela drizzled in corn velouté, as well as beet adorned with smoked almond zabaglione on sourdough.
In 2017, Cocina de Autor Los Cabos was recognized by CNN as one of the best new dining venues. Forbes Travel Guide granted it four out of five stars, emphasizing how it "redefines vacation dining" despite the rarity of fine dining options at all-inclusive resorts. The Michelin Guide praised the terrace for its inviting atmosphere to enjoy small plates and cocktails overlooking a koi pond. After earning its Michelin star, the restaurant expanded reservations to include the general public instead of limiting bookings to resort guests only.
See also
External links
- Official website (Los Cabos)
- Official website (Riviera Maya)