Paco Méndez was born in Mexico City in 1982 and began his path in tourism and gastronomy in 1998. In 2001, he enrolled at the Ambrosia Culinary Center and later moved to Spain to refine his craft, working in renowned kitchens such as those of Koldo Royo, Arzak, and elBulli. Over the years, he also worked as a cooking instructor and executive chef in several restaurants across Mexico.

In 2012, he moved to Barcelona to collaborate with Albert Adrià. In 2014, they opened the Mexican restaurants Niño Viejo and Hoja Santa. Hoja Santa quickly gained international recognition and received numerous prestigious accolades, maintaining its reputation as one of the most celebrated Mexican restaurants in Europe for several years.

In 2022, Paco launched COME in Barcelona, a project that blends Mexican and Mediterranean culinary traditions while reflecting the creative legacy of elBulli. Located in the same space as Hoja Santa, the restaurant rapidly earned significant international recognition and awards.