Culinary Recognition for San Antonio

Chef Emil Oliva of Leche de Tigre and Mixtli has been recognized as a finalist for the prestigious James Beard Award. This announcement, made on Wednesday, marks a significant moment in elevating San Antonio’s culinary landscape.

Nominees and Categories

Emil Oliva has been nominated for the category of Best Chef: Texas, while Mixtli has received a nomination for Outstanding Hospitality. Notably, Mixtli stands out as the sole Texas restaurant among the five finalists nationwide for its category.

Event Details

The winners of the James Beard Awards will be announced on June 16 in Chicago, just two days prior to Chef Diego Galicia’s 41st birthday.

Chef Galicia’s Reaction

Upon learning about the nominations, Chef Galicia expressed his astonishment, stating, “It’s pretty wild. I’m still trying to catch my breath. We’re really proud and thankful for the team we have. They’re responsible for the accolades.”

A Track Record of Success

Galicia and Chef Rico Torres, co-owners of Mixtli, have a history of accolades; they were semifinalists for Best Chef in 2018 and Mixtli also made headlines as a finalist for Outstanding Restaurant in 2024. The restaurant is renowned for its innovative Mexican cuisine, earning a Michelin star in November and a five-diamond rating from AAA in March.

Chef Oliva’s Remarkable Journey

Emil Oliva’s path to culinary recognition is particularly notable as he lacks formal culinary training. After opening Leche de Tigre two years ago, his cevicheria rapidly gained popularity, garnering positive reviews, including recognition from Texas Monthly. Oliva remarked, “I am shocked. I was never formally trained.”

Background of Emil Oliva

Born in Laredo to a Peruvian father, Oliva spent his formative years in Lima before returning to the United States to study restaurant management. His rapid advancement in the restaurant industry, moving from busboy to management in just three years, laid the groundwork for his venture into restaurant ownership.

San Antonio’s Culinary Scene

San Antonio is making strides in the culinary world, boasting six semifinalists for the Best Chef: Texas category, including Oliva. Others include Thomas Billie of Belly of the Beast in Spring, Emmanuel Chavez of Tatemó in Houston, Regino Rojas of Purépecha in Dallas, and Michael Anthony Serva of Bordo in Marfa.

Looking Ahead

The James Beard Foundation will conduct unannounced visits to the finalists as part of the selection process. The news of Oliva and Galicia’s nominations has helped bring San Antonio’s culinary talent into the spotlight, despite the city’s earlier exclusion from Food & Wine’s Top 10 Cities for Food and Drink.

Unified Culinary Community

In a show of camaraderie, Galicia sent a text of congratulations to Oliva. He stated, “We are so happy for them. They are crushing it.” Similarly, Chef Torres shared his excitement about the acknowledgment, noting the diligence that goes into maintaining high standards at Mixtli.