I bring authentic Costa Rican flavors to your home with 16+ years of experience and a love for fresh, local ingredients.

Luis Diego

I celebrate Costa Rican cuisine with fresh, local ingredients cooked at home

My name is Luis Diego and I have over 16 years of experience in the culinary industry. I have honed my skills across techniques and styles, but my passion and specialty is Costa Rican cuisine. I respect the diversity of our ingredients—meats, seafood, and especially local vegetables and fruits like ripe plantain, yuca, and chayote—that inspire me to create honest, flavorful dishes.

I love the stories behind our food and how different cultures—indigenous, Spanish, and African—have shaped our table. From a comforting casado to seafood from our coasts, I cook with freshness, simplicity, and balance, adapting each experience to your tastes and preferences.

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Cooking for me is a passion, an art, an act of love—a universal language that unites us, nourishes us, and brings us joy.

What sets my cooking apart

Passion and purpose

Cooking for me is a passion, an art, and an act of love. It is a universal language that unites us, nourishes us, and brings us joy. I cook with that intention in every dish.

My culinary roots

My journey into cooking began in the heart of my home, with my family. That is where I learned the best, most authentic recipes that continue to guide my craft.

Less is more

Over the years I have learned that many times less is more. Instead of overwhelming a dish, I focus on a few excellent ingredients and let them shine.

Chef Luis Diego’s Menus

I offer curated menus inspired by Costa Rican tradition, the bounty of our seas, and beloved Italian classics—all cooked fresh in your home and tailored to your preferences.

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Stories and testimonials

Chef Luis was on time without any issues, prepared a really nice meal for all of us. It was a great experience for my dad’s birthday. The food was delicious!

Sarah Trafford

We hired a private chef to prepare Christmas dinner while we vacationed in La Fortuna. Chef Diego did not disappoint. He made traditional Costa Rican food consisting of empanadas, slow braised pork ribs and tres leches for dessert. All food was top notch and I’d highly recommended his services.

Sarah Koper

We had a group of nine and every single person loved the food. Everything was extremely delicious and full of flavor. The chef was very communicative and did an amazing job catering to all of our dietary needs, cuisines, and restrictions. He truly listened to what we wanted and was able to adapt and improvise perfectly throughout our stay. On top of that, he left the kitchen spotless after each meal. An outstanding experience—we would highly recommend him.

Sage Robinson

Professional Review of Chef Luis Diego Solano From the very first interaction, Chef Luis Diego Solano has been an absolute pleasure to work with. His communication was prompt and informative, and he provided exceptional detail about his services from the outset. What truly sets Chef Diego apart is his consistent excellence across all areas—culinary quality, presentation, professionalism, and attentiveness to dietary needs. Chef Diego is a highly motivated and inspired culinary professional, bringing creativity and passion to every dish he prepares. The level of service he offers is truly first-class. His client onboarding process is thorough and personalized—he takes the time to understand your tastes, dietary preferences, and event goals. His punctuality and reliability are noteworthy; he consistently delivers exactly what he promises. The quality of his meals is outstanding—each dish is expertly prepared, thoughtfully customized, and absolutely delicious. His menu is extensive and ever-evolving, accommodating a wide range of dietary needs. He is also very flexible with scheduling, which made organizing our experience seamless. From grocery shopping to full clean-up, Chef Diego handles every detail, allowing guests to simply relax and enjoy. Thanks to him, my family and I were able to enjoy a leisurely, beautifully prepared breakfast, lunch, and dinner—all in one day—without spending a moment in the kitchen. It created the perfect atmosphere for celebrating my mother’s 60th birthday, and the homemade feel of the food made the day even more special. Our only regret is that Chef Diego doesn’t operate closer to our home. However, we would absolutely book his services again the next time we are in Costa Rica. Thank you from Fortune Family!

Keesha Fortune

The chef was outstanding, punctual, attentive, and immediately got to work on preparing the menu. The presentation and quality of the food were exceptional. He also cleaned up thoroughly afterward, leaving me with a truly memorable experience.

Sherrie

Chef Diego was incredible. His food was flavorful and the presentation was beautiful. He’s friendly and professional. He cooked dinners and breakfast for our family of 16 with ease and everyone loved the food. I would not hesitate to hire or recommend him again!

Natasha Cortes

Luis was great! Each dish had so much flavor it left me wanting more. I highly recommend Luis for any occasion!

Camelia Vazquez

We stayed at the Four Seasons Papagayo in a villa with a full kitchen and used Luis for 2 dinners. The communication was great, the food was fantastic. He was nonintrusive while cooking and dinner was served for a party of 8 adults and 4 kids on time. I would definitely recommend him and use his services again.

TIFFANY LEWIS

Chef Luigi made a delicious dinner for our hungry family of six. We are in Tamarindo on vacation and Chef was able to work with the limited supply of pots, pans and dishes in our rented condo while we enjoyed sunset cocktails by the pool.

Cheryl Goodnow

Very attentive to detail and food is perfectly crafted

scott froum