Meet Manuel Ignacio De Luca, the man behind the array of delicious dining choices at the Sheraton Grand Los Cabos, Hacienda del Mar. As the Executive Chef, he oversees the cooking process from the decision making to plating.
Name: Manuel Ignacio De Luca
Age: 37
Title: Executive Chef at Sheraton Grand Los Cabos, Hacienda del Mar
Married/Single: Married to Silvana Keller
Kids: Lola, 10, and Pedro, 3
City you live in: Cabo San Lucas, B.C.S.
My favorite thing about Los Cabos is… That it is a very peaceful and safe place where you can combine work and pleasure in the most perfect way. Living right in front of the ocean completely changes your daily perspective. Also, Los Cabos’ natural environment, in which getting from one place to another doesn’t take you more than 15 minutes, unlike the big cities, is wonderful. I am happy that my children are growing up in a place like this.
A typical day in my life includes… I get up at 5:30 and every morning I practice CrossFit from 6-7. Afterwards I go back home and pick up my kids so that I can take them to school. Back at home, my wife awaits with breakfast, music, and a great conversation.
I arrive at the hotel around 9 a.m., ready for the workday to begin. I have many routines in my day, all of which can change depending on the circumstances. But generally, I review all the grocery shopping; I really like to be on top of this because it is the first step in the culinary process. The quality of the final product we serve our guests depends on this.
I also inspect the different kitchen areas, and depending on the day of the week, I sometimes have meetings in which we plan future operations. Generally, there is a lot of food tasting involved.
It all varies depending on the hotels occupancy rate and the groups we must serve, which makes my job very interesting; no two days are the same.
I like to go back home as early as I can so that I can spend some time with Lola and Pedro, have some dinner, give them a bath, etc. At the same time, I also try not to go to bed too late because the next day starts bright and early again at 5:30.
I was born in… Buenos Aires. My dad’s name is Antonio, my mom’s name is Cristina, and I have 5 siblings, Juan Pablo, Diego, Dolores, Patricio and Josefina. Some of them still live in Buenos Aires and others live in Belgium and San Francisco.
I’m listening to… a little bit of everything, I don’t really have a preference.
My Family… my wife Silvana and my children, Pedro and Lola.
If I could have dinner with anyone, it would be… with my dad.
One thing I cannot live without… my family, they are my greatest support
When I was younger, I wanted to be… I went through several phases. I wanted to be a marine biologist, a veterinarian, and a doctor; I actually tried it for two years until I decided I wanted to focus on the culinary arts.
I’m inspired by… traveling, cooking at home (I don’t do it often but when I do, I love that I can do it without so much pressure), getting together with peers and sharing new techniques, knowledge, or products.
The one person who motivates me… Silvana, besides being a great human being, she is a great partner. My profession can be a bit difficult sometimes, and I definitely wouldn’t be where I am today without her support and encouragement.
If I could change anything in the world, it would be… the way we perceive and express our emotions. I recently heard something about our senses and our emotions. If we could express and perceive our emotions as clearly and as well as we do our senses, things would be much different.
The perfect day would be… today. I wouldn’t change a thing.
My first job… on a beach, I was 15 or 16 years old, and I was in charge of several cleaning tasks, providing assistance to travelers, etc.
My favorite escape… to travel to a place I haven’t been to before.
My life… I am very fortunate; I have everything any person could wish for.
I’m currently working on… Sheraton Grand Los Cabos Hacienda del Mar
Always… remain consistent with everything you do in life. This may be difficult but not impossible
Never… we should never think that when we get another chance we will do things better than how we do them now. Starting now, we should do better, and this way, when we get another chance, we will already know how to do it.
My Pet Peeve(s)… injustices.
My Biggest Dream… travel the world.
Favorite Quote…
To Know – To Do
To Do – To Do
To Do – To Know