Nahúm Velasco
| Company type | Restaurant |
|---|---|
| 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 (Executive Chef, Riviera Maya, 2024), Francisco Sixtos and Sidney Schutte (Executive Chefs, Los Cabos, 2024) |
| Products | Innovative tasting menus (8-10 courses) |
| Owner | Grand Velas Resorts |
| Website | www |
Cocina de Autor is a distinguished Mexican dining concept found within the all-inclusive Grand Velas Resorts, operating at their Riviera Maya and Los Cabos Corridor properties in Quintana Roo and Baja California Sur. These restaurants present innovative culinary creations that incorporate ingredients sourced from various regions. In 2024, Nahúm Velasco held the position of executive chef at the Riviera Maya location, while Francisco Sixtos and Sidney Schutte managed the kitchen at Los Cabos.
Both venues were honored with one Michelin star each in the debut 2024 edition of the Michelin Guide for Mexico, distinguishing Grand Velas as the sole all-inclusive resort brand globally to boast two Michelin-starred restaurants. Furthermore, they have been recipients of the AAA Five Diamond Award bestowed by the American Automobile Association (AAA).
History and description
The Grand Velas Resorts, a Mexican all-inclusive hospitality group, was under the ownership of entrepreneur Eduardo Vela Ruiz until his passing in 2023. The brand encompasses three coastal resorts: Riviera Maya, Quintana Roo; Riviera Nayarit, Nayarit; and Los Cabos Corridor, Baja California Sur.
Each resort functions independently, offering guests an inclusive nightly rate that covers access to amenities such as pools, spas, and dining options. At Grand Velas Riviera Maya, there are eight distinct restaurants, among them Cocina de Autor. This establishment is also counted among seven culinary venues at the Los Cabos resort. The term "Cocina de Autor" translates as "signature cuisine," embodying a chef’s individual gastronomic expression. The brand’s food style is widely acclaimed as "innovative" by critics in both culinary and travel sectors.
Both Cocina de Autor locations feature tasting menus ranging from eight to ten courses. The Riviera Maya venue admits guests aged 12 and above with a smart casual dress code, whereas Los Cabos caters to patrons 18 years and older and enforces a business casual dress standard. Reservations are compulsory at both sites.
When the Michelin Guide launched its Mexican edition in 2024, it awarded stars to 18 restaurants nationwide. Each Cocina de Autor site earned one star, indicating "exceptional cooking that merits a visit." This achievement makes Grand Velas unique as the only all-inclusive resort brand worldwide to host two Michelin-starred dining establishments.
In addition, both restaurants have been recognized with the esteemed AAA Five Diamond Award from the American Automobile Association (AAA), marking a milestone as the first all-inclusive resort restaurants to receive this distinction.
Riviera Maya
Established in 2008 in Solidaridad Municipality, Quintana Roo, the Riviera Maya resort opened alongside Cocina de Autor, initially led by head chef Xavier Pérez Stone. In 2024, Nahúm Velasco assumed leadership; he is an alumnus of Centro Culinario Ambrosía with prior experience at Cocina de Autor, as well as renowned establishments such as Geranium and Passion.
The culinary offerings at Cocina de Autor Riviera Maya draw inspiration from chefs Mikel Alonso and Bruno Oteiza of Biko in Mexico City, who also contribute to the restaurant’s creative direction. The menu undergoes frequent revisions and includes dishes like spider crab paired with jackfruit, roasted pork enhanced by black garlic, and signature Melipona honey exclusive to Cocina de Autor. Isabel Leal from Robb Report México praised selections featured during the Sensory Voyage festival, such as gazpacho with smoked whipped cream, Australian wagyu accompanied by figs, Ossetra caviar, scallops prepared fricassee-style, and venison crusted with raisin and coffee served alongside pine nut and cinnamon sauce. The Michelin Guide highlighted the menu’s "inventive flavor pairings and engaging textures."
Los Cabos
In November 2016, Grand Velas Resorts launched its property in Baja California Sur, Los Cabos. The executive chefs at Cocina de Autor are Francisco Sixtos and Sidney Schutte. Sixtos, originally from Guadalajara, brings experience from kitchens such as Le Méridien, Hyatt, and Carlyle Hotel. Schutte, a Dutch culinary expert, currently leads Spectrum, a Michelin two-star restaurant in Amsterdam as of 2024, and also oversees Loto at Grand Velas Los Cabos. He characterizes his cooking style as "notable for bold flavors that stand out."
The menu features dishes like scallops paired with miso butter and beef tenderloin accompanied by celery root purée, poached beets, and maitake mushrooms. Guests can enjoy a luxurious dining setting with subdued lighting. Signature plates include Australian wagyu combined with smoked parmesan and figs, oysters prepared in green apple aguachile, and fig served with arbequina juice. Alan Nájera of El Universal commended selections such as Comondú oysters with green apple aguachile and tempura crisp, longfin yellowtail enhanced by daikon and cilantro-habanero sauce, shiitake mushrooms paired with pecan and jicama tetela finished with corn velouté, and smoked almond zabaglione on sourdough.
In 2017, CNN recognized Cocina de Autor as one of the top new dining venues. Forbes Travel Guide granted it a four-star rating out of five, praising its ability to "redefine vacation dining experiences," a notable achievement given the rarity of fine dining options at all-inclusive resorts. The Michelin Guide also noted the terrace as an inviting area for light meals and cocktails overlooking a koi pond. Following the attainment of its Michelin star, Cocina de Autor opened reservations to the public rather than restricting access solely to resort guests.
See also
External links
- (Los Cabos)
- (Riviera Maya)