Enjoy a fun evening dining, sipping, and learning from Chef Hector Santiago of El Super Pan in the Edible Garden Outdoor Kitchen.
A master of bold flavors and culinary techniques across different cultures, Hector Santiago is the decorated chef and founder behind El Super Pan, El Burro Pollo and the forthcoming La Metro in Atlanta. At the helm of these colorful concepts, Chef Santiago showcases his passion for creating equally delicious and festive experiences by seamlessly blending authentic flavors with the breadth of his diverse culinary experience.
A Puerto Rican native, Santiago made his foray into the restaurant world nearly 25 years ago under the tutelage of Chef Giovanna Huykein in San Juan. Per her guidance, he attended the Culinary Institute of America in New York to further develop his culinary skills and refine his talents. Upon graduation, he acquired more experience working in kitchens at The Greenbrier Hotel in West Virginia, The Manhattan Ocean Club, Stony Hill Inn in New Jersey and Heartland Brewery. He learned techniques from top talents in the industry as he went on to work with renowned international chefs including José Andrés, Wylie Dufresne and Andoni Luis Aduriz.
Santiago moved to Atlanta in 2001 and opened Pura Vida in Atlanta’s Poncey-Highland neighborhood. The tapas-style restaurant was met with great acclaim, and serving as chef-owner, Santiago was named a three-time James Beard Foundation “Best Chef Southeast” semifinalist. In 2011, he was named Star Chef’s Rising Star of Atlanta and earned a spot on Bravo’s Emmy-winning show, “Top Chef Las Vegas” (season 6).
At Pura Vida, Chef Santiago launched El Super Pan as a weekend pop-up. This passion-fueled side project accrued more buzz and excitement each weekend, inspiring him to build out the concept into a stand-alone shop. In 2015, he opened El Super Pan at Ponce City Market – Atlanta’s historic retail and dining destination with an atmosphere that aligns seamlessly with the effervescent and easygoing nature of the establishment. The lively sandwich bar reflects Santiago’s expertise and affinity for Latin American fare as it boasts bold and rich flavors of Cocina Criolla and the Spanish Caribbean. After this initial location proved Atlanta’s enduring love for his inventive creations, he opened a second location at The Battery – home of The Braves – in 2018. While the restaurant is beloved locally, it has also garnered national attention receiving accolades from Vogue, Travel + Leisure, Eater, The Local Palate, CNN, Thrillist, USA Today, The Travel Channel, Food Network, Zagat, Food & Wine and many more.
In March 2020, Santiago opened sister concept El Burro Pollo as a food stand at The Collective Food Hall in Midtown Atlanta’s Tech Square. Like El Super Pan, the concept first began as a pop-up before establishing a brick-and-mortar location. The eatery serves Juarez-style burritos on charred flour tortillas, and guests can grab a seat at the counter or bring food to communal tables in the food hall. The namesake El Burro Pollo burrito originated on the menu at Santiago’s Pura Vida restaurant and is loaded with slow-cooked, spicy three-chile chicken, banderita sauces, and El Burro Pollo naked slaw.
Schedule: Wednesday, April 24, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Fee: $85 (Members $80)
Deadline: One week before session