Meet the Chef

I'm Chef Arthuro Paniagua. Originally from the Sarapiqui region of Costa Rica. I have lived in La Fortuna for the last 15 years. I'm the dad of four amazing kids, a partner to Jillian, and a fourth-generation self-taught Chef.

(and an ok soccer goalie, LOL!) I have been around food all my life; My great-grandma, grandma, and mom all spent their careers in the kitchen. When I was little, we lived in the soda my parents owned. When I was a young teenager, my family spent some time in Turrialba working with an Argentinian company providing food services. Fridays were family time, and the Argentinian owner took a particular liking to me and spent time teaching me Asado-style bbq. After graduating high school, my first job was in a large commercial kitchen at an ICE hydro-electrical project (National power co.). 2011 I moved to La Fortuna to start my culinary journey. My first job was at Baldi Hot Springs as a bartender. I then moved on to serving and managing at Lava Lounge before finally opening my first restaurant.

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After four years at my first restaurant, it was time to move on to a new project. In 2015 Jillian and I opened Casa Paniagua. Casa Paniagua started as a 60 seat restaurant in the small town of Nuevo Arenal, about an hour west of La Fortuna. It was the perfect place to grow and develop my style. After three and a half years, we decided to move back to La Fortuna, where we already owned land, and I could expand my culinary resume.

 

2018 -  I started working with travel agencies to bring together the best naturalist guides La Fortuna offers paired with unique dining experiences. A dream come true! I enjoy not only cooking but also getting to show people my beautiful country in a unique way. Every day is different, and no two experiences are the same.

 

2020 - While the borders were closed and guests were restricted from visiting, the pandemic forced us to change course. We expanded into personal Chef services. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served on our private patio at our house or on location at vacation rentals and other exclusive locations.

 

2022 - The last couple of years have been a whirlwind of excitement and growth. We have started building a private kitchen and dining room and should be hosting guests in our new space by mid 2022. We have the most amazing partners that allows my team and I the creative freedom to developed fantastic unique adventure/dining experiences and personal chef services to share with the world.

 

I can't wait to meet you here in my paradise!

 

Pura Vida!

Chef  Arthuro  Paniagua