Meet Luis Sanchez | Chef & Restaurant Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Luis Sanchez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Luis, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Risk is just part of the deal when you’re an entrepreneur—especially in the restaurant world. There’s no way around it. But what you can do is prepare, anticipate, and hope it swings in your favor. For me, taking risks has been a constant, whether it was opening my own place, trying out new flavors, or reworking the menu. You have to be willing to bet on yourself. The key is being able to respond quickly when things don’t go as planned—adapt, adjust, keep moving. That mindset has shaped my entire career.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I couldn’t have done it any other way—this is who I am. I have to work with my hands, and seeing my ideas come to life through food is what fuels me. I live for the feedback—for that moment when someone takes a bite and you can see they get it. That’s the real reward.

Success for me has always started with passion. The financial part only follows if what you’re doing is creatively fulfilling and real. It hasn’t always been easy, of course. There’ve been plenty of challenges, but what’s gotten me through is staying focused on why I started: to create something that reflects who I am and to bring people joy through food.

What I want people to know about Mouthful is that everything on that plate is intentional. It’s layered, it’s bold, and it comes from a place of deep care—for flavor, for culture, for connection. This isn’t just a business to me—it’s a craft, and it’s personal.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend was in town for the week, I’d definitely start local. We’d grab a meal at Moody Rooster—those guys are doing something special. Their focus on creativity and fresh, thoughtful food really speaks to me.

Then, I’d take them up to Ojai. It’s one of my favorite places to slow down and soak in some inspiration. The energy there is different—calm but creative. We’d have to stop by Ojai Rotie, a spot created by my mentor and friend Larry Nicola. The food is phenomenal, but it’s more than that—it’s the whole experience.

We’d spend time walking around the farmers market, popping into local shops, maybe catching some live music. Ojai has this rare mix of art, community, and food that’s hard to find elsewhere. It’s the kind of place that reminds you why you do what you do. That’s the kind of week I’d want to share.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I will always be grateful to Larry Nicola AKA Don Lorenzo, for his guidance, support, and passion. He is a vital part of my story and I am beyond grateful.

Website: https://www.chefluissanchez.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eventsbychefluissanchez/#

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MouthfulEatery/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ASeatatMyTable

Image Credits
Blue Steele Media