Portrait of Gilberto Centina
i. Biography
Gilberto Cetina is the chef-owner of Holbox, the Mexican seafood restaurant at Mercado La Paloma in Historic South Central Los Angeles, which he opened in 2017. He is Mexican-born and draws on the traditional flavors of Mexico, especially the Yucatán Peninsula, where he was born; he learned to cook at his family’s restaurant, Chichén Itzá, working alongside his father for 15 years before taking over as chef there in 2010.
Holbox earned major recognition including a 2023 James Beard finalist nod for Best Chef California, a 2025 semifinalist slot for Outstanding Chef, a 2026 finalist slot for Outstanding Chef, and a Michelin star in 2024.
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Read about chefs like Gilberto Centina in the Sunday email.
Every Sunday we send a lead story and up to four more about the chefs, winemakers, sommeliers and hoteliers behind the restaurants, bars, wineries and hotels we cover.
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