DANIELLA DE LA PUENTE (Culinary Director) is a chef, sommelier, visual artist, photographer, and writer. Born in Mexico City, and residing in Tijuana since 1988, Daniella studied graphic design, and with her grandmother as her greatest inspiration in the kitchen, developed a deep passion for food that inspired her culinary journey. She studied at the Culinary Art School, where she also got her sommelier degree. With her latest projects, La Cocina Secreta, and La Cocina Secreta Sensorial a clandestine kitchen in Tijuana that combines the artistry of experiential art design and haute cuisine in a secret location. This exclusive experience is tailored to the customer’s tastes and wishes, using the freshest local ingredients. In 2012 De la Puente won 1st place in the Rumbos de la Cocina de Baja California at the Baja California Culinary Fest (BCCF). In 2016 she was invited to participate in “El sabor de las mujeres de Baja (BCCF) where she was recognized for her career achievements and named one of Baja California’s top female chefs. In 2018 she received the first place People’s Choice Award in the Sabor Latino at the 25th San Diego Latino Film Festival. She is currently lending her talents as a faculty member of the Iberoamerican University, Tijuana campus, where she teaches gastronomic photography, oenology and designing with gastronomy in architecture. As a visual artist, De la Puente has participated in over 16 solo art shows and over 300 group shows in over 12 cities of Mexico, United States, Argentina, Spain and Italy.