Chef Lorena Garcia is a Venezuelan-American chef, restaurateur, and television personality renowned for her Latin-inspired cuisine and her vibrant personality on popular cooking shows. She gained fame as a contestant on Top Chef Masters and America’s Next Great Restaurant, where her innovative, flavorful dishes captivated audiences. Lorena has opened several restaurants, including Chica in Las Vegas and Miami, and her culinary contributions blend traditional Latin flavors with a modern twist.

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With CHICA, she has joined the ranks of the world-class chefs on Restaurant Row at The Venetian including Thomas Keller and Emeril Lagasse – and now her photo proudly lives between them as the first woman chef on the “Wall of Culinary Titans” outside the property. The expansion of the CHICA brand brought Garcia back home to South Florida when the concept opened its second location in Miami’s historic MiMo district in late-2019. The Miami incarnation of CHICA by Lorena Garcia appeals to both locals and visitors alike, featuring the robust and vibrant flavors of authentic Latin and South American dishes, inventive cocktails and an unparalleled dining experience guaranteed to elevate the local culinary landscape.

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In addition to her success as a chef and restaurateur, she has also been featured on the CNN special documentary “Latinos in America” and as a guest on such talk programs as The Talk, The Chew, Today and Good Morning America. Her recipes have been featured in publications such as People Magazine, Cosmopolitan, Vogue and Saveur, and she has been profiled in business magazines for her significant role as a strong female Latina chef and business-owner including Kiplinger’s and Entrepreneur.