Today we’d like to introduce you to Carlos J. Mojica.
Hi Carlos, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
Hello, my name is Carlos the Chef and Owner at Guiso Latin Fusion in Healdsburg. I started with my passion for cooking at a young age, decided to pursue my interest by going to cooking contests that were part of school, and from there started working in some restaurants here in Sonoma County.
My dream was to open a restaurant at the age of 24, so I knew work had to be put in to prepare. I acquired some knowledge and techniques at the Santa Rosa Junior College, in order to keep learning I managed to work and go to school and fell in love with the long restaurant hours ever since.
I am beyond grateful my mom and dad helped me achieve the American Dream, back when the restaurant opened its doors – October of 2015. Indeed, my mother Margarita Mojica, has been helping us to show a little of our Salvadoran heritage by making the Pupusas at the restaurant. My future wife and sister managed the front of the house for many years together.
Our Sous Chef Arturo Lopez, is a big part of Guiso. He has a lot of experience and expertise, I couldn’t have someone more talented than himself as my right hand. We managed to survive all kinds of natural disasters through the years from Fires, floods, and even the 2020 pandemic. It definitely has taken a lot of work and dedication not only from my whole family but also a commitment from our staff (Guiso Family). Some interesting things to know about the Restaurant, are the meaning behind the name.
Guiso Latin Fusion,
GUISO itself means to stew however the idea came from a tomato stewing sauce my paternal grandmother came up with back in El Salvador. I had to basically beg her for the recipe she never liked to share. Mama Yeya instructed me to make it and decided to put my own technique.
The Latin Fusion – came to mind when realizing that opening another Italian restaurant in Healdsburg wouldn’t be a great business move, at the time there was a handful plus Scoopa just ask our locals if it was delicious. Although Italian cooking is my background as a chef, I knew nothing better than my roots and heritage, elevating our Latin food and culture has been a beautiful experience.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
As mentioned before the 2020 pandemic took a bad effect on the restaurant, letting go of our staff was not an easy thing to do, only a few of us stayed and we had to learn a new skill. How can I make nicely plated food fit in a box and get to our patrons nice and hot, while still showing that we care?
I had to come up with a menu that catered just to that exactly, door-dash orders were placed and 5 minutes later the dasher would show up, everything is made to order and fresh so they often had to wait. Something we can laugh at now, glad we were able to push through it.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Guiso Latin Fusion?
Some exciting news, I would love to let the readers know Guiso is a place to come enjoy different flavors and connect with food. We are open for lunch and dinner now.
I love to be here so you will see me cooking or helping my front-of-the-house team. You might also get the chance to see my mom in the kitchen making the Pupusas. We are in the heart of Sonoma County surrounded not only by wine but beautiful people as well.
Contact Info:
- Website: guisolatinfusion.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/guisolatinfusion/?hl=en
