Born in La Paz, Mexico, Chef Carlos Javier Leyva Sanchez heads the kitchen at Hotel Mousai’s exclusive Japanese fusion restaurant, Hiroshi, in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Bringing with him a wealth of experience from his time at Villa del Palmar Cancun Luxury Beach Resort & Spa as well as a long stint as chef at Nick San, Cabo San Lucas, his taste bud tingling creations are a testimony to his talents.
Style, Flavor and Humility
Having prepared dishes for stars such as Jennifer Aniston, Michael Jordan and Bono among others during his time in Cabo San Lucas, the chef remains humble and dedicated to creating dishes that showcase his commitment to both flavor and presentation. Chef Carlos lies in his fine craftsmanship, applying cutting-edge culinary techniques to prepare locally grown ingredients while incorporating Japanese and East Asian traditions to delicious effect.
Meet the Chef
You are sure to meet Chef Leyva if you dine at Hotel Mousai’s Hiroshi restaurant because for Leyva, the printed menu is simply a point of departure for your gourmet adventure. “I like to find out what kinds of flavors and textures our diners are looking for, so I can exceed their expectations by serving them with my recommendations,” shares the chef, “I really enjoy tailoring dining experiences to each guest’s taste.”
Certainly, dining at Hiroshi is set to be a sublime experience where fresh, bold recipes receive that special touch by Chef Leyva who crafts his dishes like a work of art. Leyva’s culinary signature is found in his attention to detail and the way he merges minimalism with powerful flavors, seeking the perfect way to present his creations for spectacular effect. “Besides the flavors and exquisite taste, I give a lot of attention to the details in my dishes, particularly the presentation,” he adds “those special touches that make all the difference to give an extraordinary dining experience.”
Chef Leyva has also been involved in a number of culinary festivals, the most recent being the Puerto Vallarta Gourmet Festival in 2015, where he represented Hiroshi restaurant as a guest chef.