Our Team

Chef Xavier Santiago

With over 20 years of culinary experience, I was born and raised in Puerto Rico, where my love for food began in my grandmother’s kitchen. She taught me not only the fundamentals of cooking but also the deep cultural significance of local ingredients and the value of farming—a lesson that continues to influence my approach today.

Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside incredibly talented chefs, refining my skills across a diverse range of cuisines including Spanish, Caribbean, Italian, Japanese, and Greek. I’m proud to be a Food Network Chopped Champion and a winner of several culinary competitions in the state of Connecticut.

Now, I’m thrilled to bring my journey full circle with an exciting new chapter at Tequila Rio. Here, we’re reimagining Mexican cuisine through the lens of Caribbean influence—honoring the roots of Mexican culture and culinary technique while adding our own bold, elevated twist. I can’t wait to share this new experience with you.