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LA JEFA,
LA REINA,
LA CHEF
Celebrity Chef/ Culinary Anthropologist/ Entrepreneur
The elemental force of Claudette Zepeda—a culinary storyteller, alchemist, and celebrated chef whose craft is rooted in reverence. With over two decades in kitchens across the world, Zepeda weaves ancient ingredients and ancestral memory into modern form. Guided by intuition and a deep respect for regional Mexican cuisine, her fearless spirit honors tradition while conjuring something wholly her own. From the markets of Oaxaca to the coastlines of San Diego, her journey is one of devotion, discovery, and the bold magic of a meal made with intention.
THE STARS ALIGNED
LEO
TAURUS
VIRGO
VIRGO
A WOVEN PATH
Zeh-peh-duh not Zapata, not Ze-pay-duh
1985-2004
Roots in Two Worlds
​Born in San Diego and raised between, Tijuana, and Guadalajara, Claudette Zepeda’s early memories were steeped in the aromas of her aunt Lorenza’s kitchen in Guadalajara. These formative experiences shaped a deep reverence for regional Mexican flavors, sparking a love affair with cooking that never and still hasn't left her side.
2005–2007
From Sweet to Spicy
Claudette’s journey began humbly—making desserts at just 19 for an Italian restaurant . Ignition to the flame- she soon went from a Pastry Cook in La Jolla, to cooking and making handmade breads in downtown San Diego. Her hands learned tradition; her mind reimagined it.
2005–2007
A Rising Flame
At Bracero, under Chef Javier Plascencia, Claudette rose to chef de cuisine, earning national acclaim. Bracero was named a James Beard Best New Restaurant semifinalist and one of Eater’s Best New Restaurants in America—marking her first major moment in the national culinary spotlight.
2017–2018
Lights, Camera, Action
Claudette captured hearts and rivaled flames on Top Chef México and Top Chef U.S. She was bold, unrelenting, and deeply rooted in heritage. Her voice and cooking became symbols of identity and resistance in a male-dominated industry.
2018
Como La Flor
In San Diego’s Liberty Station, she opened El Jardín—a garden of ancestral flavors and modern imagination. The restaurant earned praise from The New York Times, Esquire, and Michelin, all while telling a story far deeper than a plate: one of matriarchs, memory, and resilience.
2021
La Trabajadora Vaga
At VAGA in Encinitas, Claudette’s flavors wandered with purpose. The ocean-view kitchen became a canvas where Baja met global influences. Every dish was a postcard from somewhere she’d been, or dreamed of going, always returning home to her roots- getting her closer to her present.
2019
Viva La Vida Loca
Through her foundation Viva La Vida, Claudette began working with single mothers in Mexico, helping them build micro-businesses that import heirloom ingredients. Her work expanded from chef to changemaker—honoring the hands that grow what we eat.
2022–2023
A Leo Rising
Her rise continued—battling it out on Iron Chef: Quest for an Iron Legend, Iron Chef México, and appearing on Bobby’s Triple Threat and Selena + Chef. Each stage only deepened her storytelling, making her a beacon for women and Latinas in food.
2024
Who's Your Padre
On opening day at Petco Park, Claudette threw the ceremonial first pitch for the San Diego Padres. It was a full-circle moment—San Diego embracing one of its most fierce, creative daughters not just in kitchens, but on center stage.
2025
She is Born
At Leu Leu, Claudette Zepeda steps into her most personal role yet—not just as chef, but as co-creator of a space that embodies her eclectic spirit and culinary philosophy. Described as her “love letter to San Diego’s diverse food culture and its incredible people,” Leu Leu is a reflection of Zepeda's journey, blending her Mexican-American heritage with global influences in a setting that feels like an intimate gathering among friends.
Thank you Leucadia, for making a border kid feel at home.
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