Executive Chef Victoriano Lopez – La Mar Cocina Peruana San Francisco at Embarcadero Center’s Pier 1 ½
Victoriano Lopez brings decades of experience and passion to his role as Executive Chef at La Mar San Francisco. After working closely in the kitchen with Chef / Owner Gastón Acurio for more than two decades, Lopez joined the La Mar San Francisco team as an Executive Chef in September 2015. Born and raised in the Ancash region of Peru, Lopez first joined Acurio’s restaurant group, Acurio International, in 1995 at Lima’s Astrid & Gaston— ranked #1 on the inaugural Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants list in 2013. In 2000, he began working with Acurio to expand his restaurant empire internationally, opening La Mar Cebicherías in Mexico City, Madrid, and San Francisco, as well as Peruvian-inspired Tanta concepts across the country. Before landing at La Mar San Francisco, Lopez resided at Tanta’s Chicago outpost, working with Acurio to create new recipes for each restaurant concept.
Lopez is dedicated to sharing the traditions and cultures of his native country with San Francisco by serving authentic Peruvian cuisine in an approachable, casual, and colorful waterfront setting. “Spreading the knowledge and technique of Peruvian food is my calling,” says Lopez. “Our menu takes diners on a creative voyage through Peru, showcasing the diverse landscape and ethnicities that make up the country’s culture.”
At La Mar, Lopez is committed to introducing San Francisco to the meaningful mixtures of taste that lie at the cornerstone of Peruvian cuisine. With his innate creativity at the foundation of every plate, the menu focuses on dishes iconic to Peru, such as the country’s most famous dish of cebiche, in addition to a number of lesser-known plates that highlight Peru’s multi-culturalism and bio-diversities, such as the Plancha Marina with prawns, octopus, calamari, salmon, Portobello mushrooms, aji panca, and Pisco sauce and Quinoa Chaufa with wok-fried quinoa, bell peppers, seasonal vegetables, and a fried egg. Lopez resides in San Mateo with his wife and three children. When he’s not immersed in all things Peru, he enjoys spending time with his family over an old-fashioned home-cooked meal.
