Personalities

Luis Villazelazquez

Luis's Links:

Pastry Chef - La Victoria Bakery

Luis Villavelazquez, Pastry Chef With experience in both savory and sweet sides of the kitchen, Luis Villavelazquez brings inventive flavor combinations and beautiful presentations to his whimsical seasonally-inspired desserts at Absinthe, where he joined as Pastry Chef in April of 2009. Luis’ love affair with the restaurant industry began at a young age. Born and raised in San Francisco, he grew up around his mother’s workplace, Sally’s restaurant, located in Potrero Hill, where fresh baked pastries were served daily. After high school, he pursued his passion for all things pastry related and enrolled in the San Francisco City College Culinary Program. While attending college, he gained experience in bread production and plating as a pastry assistant at both Bacar restaurant and Chaya Brasserie. Upon graduating in 2004, Luis joined Citizen Cake full time, working under Chef/Pastry Chef Elizabeth Falkner. He quickly was promoted to Pastry Sous Chef, gaining valuable experience in bread and dessert production and, in February of 2008, he opened Orson restaurant as Pastry Chef. At 26, Luis is one of the youngest pastry chefs in San Francisco and has already garnered attention for his talents, including being named one of the Bay Area’s most talented pastry chefs by San Francisco magazine and noted as one of San Francisco’s five top pastry chefs by 7x7magazine. At Absinthe, Luis offered seasonally-inspired desserts and petits fours with a “sweet snacks” program for Arlequin Café. Some of his favorite offerings include Olive Cake with rhubarb and Chartreuse; Black-and-White Panna Cotta with black pepper; and Maple Bacon Beignets. Engaging both the mind and the palate, his desserts display technique and innovation while remaining accessible and well-balanced, offering a satisfying end to a meal. In November 2010, Luis set out on his own venture, Les Éléments Consulting, which becomes an extension of his modern twist on the tradition pastries by working with local bakeries and reinventing their selection to current and expanding taste. As of July 2012, Luis is at the Thursday and Saturday Ferry Building Farmer’s Market and plans to expand with wholesale clients and pop-ups through San Francisco, while also revamping the Mexican Bakery La Victoria Bakery, on 24th St. & Alabama. Luis lives in San Francisco; his other passions include the arts, architecture and dining around the City with friends.