Born in Tlaxcala, Mexico, Juan is a first-generation immigrant who left his home country at the age of 16 in search of new opportunities. His culinary journey began in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, at the Old Yellowstone Garage, a renowned restaurant dedicated to Northern Italian cuisine. After a formative year cooking in Oaxaca, he moved to Montreal, where he refined his craft in leading kitchens such as La Salle à Manger and Pizzeria Gema. In 2015, he founded Farine, an 

Italian counter in Mile End, before realising a long-held ambition with the opening of Alma in Outremont in 2018. Originally Mediterranean in inspiration, Alma evolved in 2022 to embrace Juan’s Mexican heritage, centred on hand-nixtamalised ancestral corn and the flavours of his childhood. Widely regarded as a pioneer of contemporary Mexican fine dining in Canada, he 

has profoundly influenced Montreal’s culinary landscape. His recent projects include Terraza Luz, Bar Luz, and the forthcoming Molino Luz. Alma has earned major international and national accolades, including being named the best Mexican restaurant outside Mexico and ranking among Canada’s most celebrated restaurants.