Chef SILVANA
LA HISTORIA
Award-winning chef, visionary, and fierce cultural warrior, Chef Silvana has spent decades redefining Mexican cuisine in the United States. With bold flavors, an unshakable commitment to authenticity combined with her creativity, and an unwavering dedication to social justice, she has solidified her place as one of the most influential figures in modern gastronomy.
Born into a family of bakers with an 800 year baking legacy, Chef Silvana's culinary journey was shaped by deep-rooted traditions and an innate passion for food. She honed her craft at the Scottsdale Culinary Institute and Arizona State University before embarking on an extensive journey through Mexico.
Traveling across regions, she immersed herself in the diverse culinary landscapes of the country, learning from traditional cooks and absorbing the essence of Mexican gastronomy. This journey ignited her mission: to challenge the erroneous Americanized perception of Mexican food and help introduce a cuisine that is complex, elegant, and deeply tied to history, culture and her creativity.
"Proteje tu cultura" Chef Silvana
LOS RESTAURANTES
With a growing portfolio of groundbreaking concepts, Chef Silvana has been a relentless force in redefining Mexican cuisine in the United States. From the beloved Barrio Café—a Phoenix institution consistently recognized with top accolades, including the coveted five stars from Howard Seftel and The Arizona Republic—to Tinta Mexicana and the elevated experience of Barrio Café Gran Reserva and Silvana Bistro, her culinary vision knows no bounds. She has brought her signature flavors to travelers at Barrio Café Airport and Barrio Avión Airport, reimagined Mexican breakfast at Barrio Urbano, and expanded her reach with Barrio Café Wonder delivery in NYC, Pink Agave aboard Virgin Voyages, and creating a nationally recognized chain.
TALLER de COCINA MEXICANA
Chef Silvana’s passion extends far beyond food—she has dedicated her career to decolonial education, uplifting communities, and using her platform to fight for representation. She has long believed in the power of knowledge-sharing and accessibility, embodying the philosophy:
"I can't keep it if I don't give it back."
Her commitment to empowering the next generation of chefs led her to establish Taller de Cocina Mexicana Chef Silvana in Playas de Rosarito, Baja California, Mexico. This free culinary program provides young aspiring chefs with the skills, knowledge, and hands-on experience needed to master traditional and contemporary Mexican cuisine. Situated in Baja California, home to some of the best restaurants in Mexico, the school serves as a bridge between heritage and innovation, ensuring that the next wave of chefs carries forward the rich culinary traditions of Mexico.
For Chef Silvana, education should not be a privilege, but a right, and this initiative is her way of giving back to the community, no matter where she resides.
SOCIAL JUSTICE
In 2010, in response to Arizona’s SB 1070, a racist anti-immigrant law that legalized racial profiling, Chef Silvana took action in the most impactful way she knew: through art and community activism.
She founded the Calle 16 Mural Project, a grassroots movement that transformed a once-neglected street into a vibrant tapestry of murals celebrating
Chicano, Indigenous, and Mexican heritage.
Calle 16 became more than an art district—it was a bold statement of resistance, a visual protest against oppression, and a rallying cry for immigrant rights. The project sparked Chef Silvana’s lifelong devotion to community activism, reinforcing her commitment to defend, uplift, and empower those whose voices are often silenced.
BARRIO COMMUNITY KITCHEN
Chef Silvana’s activism extends beyond food—it is deeply embedded in her work as a chef. Throughout her career, she has consistently prioritized feeding those in need, whether through organized efforts or simply offering a meal to someone hungry.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, when restaurants across the country shut down, Barrio Café became more than just a restaurant—it became a lifeline. Chef Silvana transformed her kitchen into the Barrio Community Kitchen, mobilizing a team of volunteers to cook and distribute thousands of meals to families, healthcare workers, and the unhoused. She refused to let food go to waste when people were struggling, proving that a restaurant’s purpose is not just to make a profit but to serve the people.
Long before COVID, Chef Silvana had been quietly feeding the unhoused at the Justa Senior Center, recognizing the dire need for food security in her community. Whether through organized efforts or personal acts of kindness, she has always ensured that her platform as a chef is used to nourish, protect, and care for those who need it most.
REPRESENTATION MATTERS
Chef Silvana’s impact goes far beyond the plate. She has dedicated her career to taking back Mexican cuisine and the industry, fighting for representation, and ensuring that marginalized communities are seen, heard, and fed.
Her relentless advocacy for immigrant rights, LGBTQ+ visibility, and food justice has earned her nine James Beard Award nominations, widespread recognition, and countless accolades. Yet, she remains grounded in her mission: to use food as a vehicle for resistance, empowerment,
and radical love.
From the kitchen to the streets, from murals to meals, Chef Silvana Salcido Esparza continues to fight, uplift, and inspire—one dish, one mural, one act of kindness at a time.