Pepe Salinas, Chef of Balcón del Zócalo, and His Fire Cooking

"Grandes Chefs Mexicanos: Fuego” (Great Mexican Chefs: Fire) is the latest edition in a series of cookbooks from Larousse and Culinaria Mexicana. This third edition features 30 Mexican chefs who grew up cooking with fire and whose careers have been shaped by it.

These chefs share 140 recipes for dishes cooked over open fire, ranging from the traditional to the contemporary, and present the latest techniques for grilling and smoking.

Among the Mexican talent included in the book is Pepe Salinas, chef of our Balcón del Zócalo restaurant. Pepe's vision, along with all the teamwork he has led, have made Balcón del Zócalo a benchmark for contemporary Mexican cuisine in the city.

The Smoke Kitchen of Grandma's House

Since he was a child, food cooked with smoke has been present in Pepe Salinas' life, as his grandmother prepared food over a fire in a kitchen she built with adobe blocks. There, Pepe would observe his grandmother tend the food she exposed to the fire to prevent it from burning.

This respect for flames and smoke fascinated Pepe from a young age and is a cooking technique that can still be seen in many Mexican towns. Now, as one of the most recognized chefs in the country, Pepe Salinas uses fire cooking to create delicious dishes that tell a story that fuses traditions, Mexican ingredients and gastronomic innovation.

Some of these dishes that are part of the menu at Balcón del Zócalo are the ones that Pepe shares in the book "Grandes Chefs Mexicanos: Fuego”. Undoubtedly, a publication that all food lovers will enjoy to the fullest.

On your next visit to Mexico City, don't hesitate to stop by Balcón del Zócalo, our fabulous gourmet restaurant of contemporary Mexican cuisine located in our hotel Zócalo Central, with the best view in the Historic Center.

We look forward to seeing you soon!