Chef Sumito Estévez is one of the most influential and well-known figures in Latin American cuisine.
An internationally renowned chef, author, lecturer, and culinary evangelist, he has built a career that combines research, education and the promotion of culinary traditions.
He has starred in television programmes broadcast across Latin America and is followed by over a million people on his YouTube and Instagram channels.
His cuisine reflects the personal and cultural journey that sets him apart. The son of a mother originally from Punjab, India, he developed a deep understanding of spices and the plant world from childhood, blending this with the gastronomic richness and tropical energy of his country of origin, Venezuela.
He now lives in Italy with his wife, Sylvia Sacchettoni, with whom he shares a passion for cooking and hospitality.
In October 2025 they opened La Mèrica – Osteria Latina in Chiavari, a restaurant dedicated to bringing together the culinary traditions of Latin America and Italy.
The restaurant quickly gained widespread acclaim from both the public and critics, receiving the highest accolade awarded by Il Golosario in 2026.
His cuisine emerges from the meeting of regions, cultures and people, telling stories through food and showing how gastronomy can become a vehicle for identity, dialogue and sustainability.