Chef Miguel Diaz is the new head chef of Ellina restaurant on the Cooper Avenue Mall in downtown Aspen. A role he has stepped into since the departure of his mentor, Dena Marino, who helped launched the new Aspen restaurant during the winter of 2009/10.
Miguel came to Aspen 14 years ago from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and it was in Aspen that he started his culinary career. He eventually landed under the tutalage of Marino who brought him with her from Ajax Tavern to D19 and then to Ellina. Miguel found early on that cooking made him happy and was the perfect fit for his Aspen lifestyle. As former sous chef under Marino he was responsible for 80% of the Ellina’s menu and now he has the opportunity to shine in his own right as the executive chef. Look for his Puerto Vallarta roots to bring alot of unique fish and latin fusion specials onto the menu as well as great fresh local produce.