Chef Carlos Delgado was born and raised in the bustling port city of Callao, Lima, where his passion for cooking was sparked in his grandmother’s kitchen. Her stories, flavors, and timeworn techniques instilled in him a deep sense of pride in his Peruvian roots — and a belief that food is one of the most powerful ways to tell a story. For Carlos, cooking is a form of memory, a way to preserve the past while sharing it with the next generation.

His culinary journey began in the cevicherías of Lima before he immigrated to the United States at sixteen. As a young man in a new country, Carlos turned to cooking as both creative expression and a way to stay connected to home. Rooted in Peruvian tradition yet driven by innovation, he crafts dishes that reflect where he comes from and where he’s going.

Carlos’s talent and leadership have earned him national acclaim, including a spot on Eater’s “30 Under 30” and four Michelin Bib Gourmand awards for his work at China Chilcano by José Andrés.

In 2022, he partnered with Chad Spangler and Glendon Hartley to open Causa/Amazonia — a dual-concept restaurant inspired by Peru’s diverse ecosystems and culinary heritage. The restaurant has since received a MICHELIN star (2023 & 2024), the MICHELIN Young Chef Award (2024), two RAMMY Awards for “Best New Restaurant” (2023) and “Best Fine Dining Restaurant” (2024), and national recognition as a James Beard Award finalist for Best New Restaurant (2023) and Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic (2025).