Born in Lima, Peru and raised in Atlanta, GA, grew up as the son of a successful Peruvian Chef and caterer. With a familiarity of the culinary world and an excellent teacher at his fingertips, Castillo began developing his cooking skills at a very young age under the tutelage of his father. He quickly learned the close relationship of food and culture and strived to emulate the creativity and care his father took with every single dish.

Castillo went on to pursue his passion of cooking and fine-tune his skills at various Atlanta hotspots, including Pura Vida, Little Trouble and Empire State South, where he had the opportunity to practice different cuisines and work under James Beard Award-winning chef Hugh Acheson. Through his experiences in the various kitchens, he learned to utilize modern techniques to create approachable cuisine with bold, powerful flavors.

Looking to return to his Latino roots, Castillo joined the Minero team in January 2017 as a Sous Chef and quickly worked his way up until he was promoted to Executive Chef in December 2017. In this role, Castillo crafted vibrant, flavorful dishes that celebrate the ingredients, techniques, and culture of Mexico. Under the culinary guidance of esteemed chef Sean Brock, Castillo also lead the kitchen staff ensuring Minero recruited, trained and retained an exceptional team.

In 2021, after leading the kitchen at Minero for four years, Castillo left the Neighborhood Dining Group to create La Chingana, a pop up dining experience to explore and showcase his Peruvian roots and culture. His goal was to materialize La Chingana into a brick and mortar and provide Atlanta with fresh and exciting cuisine representing Peruvian flavors.

In May 2022, Castillo opened Tio Lucho’s with business partner and restauranteur Howard Hsu. Tio Lucho’s, named in honor of Castillo’s father, will utilize seasonal, local ingredients to create vibrant dishes inspired by the coastal dining of Peru and Piura, Peru, where Castillo grew up.

Castillo loves the opportunity to work with people from all walks of life and believes that there is something to learn from everyone. When he’s not in the kitchen, he is spending time with his family or exploring new places and cuisine for inspiration.

Castillo loves the opportunity to work with people from all walks of life and believes that there is something to learn from everyone. When he’s not in the kitchen, he is spending time with his family or exploring new places and cuisine for inspiration.

Tio Lucho’s

675 N. Highland Ave. NE #6000
Atlanta, GA 30306
https://www.tioluchos.com