So You Want to Run a Restaurant? · 2026-03-31 · 30 min
Today, we sit down with Chef Alam Mendez Florian, chef and co-owner of Apapacho at La Cosecha Food Hall in Washington, DC. Born and raised in Oaxaca, Mexico, Alam grew up literally inside his parents’ restaurant, La Quinta Letras - recognized by the Michelin Guide - and was mentored in the traditions of Oaxacan cuisine by his mother, Chef Celia Florian. Alam’s journey took him from competing in the Culinary Olympics to staging at Michelin-starred kitchens in Spain, running restaurants in Mexico City, Copenhagen, and Alexandria, and eventually opening his own restaurant with his wife and pastry chef, Elisa Reina.
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