Aldo Ayala is the Executive Corporate Chef at Mercadito Hospitality. Chef Aldo received his Bachelors Degree at the Instituto Culinario de México.

Born and raised in Puebla, Mexico, Aldo’s passion for cuisine first landed him in the heart of New York City, where he worked tirelessly towards his American Dream, landing jobs at; Frida Cafe 1 yr NYC line cook, El Arte De La Cocina NYC 1 year Sous Chef, Pazza Notta NYC Chef De Cuisine 2 yrs, Loft Restaurant NYC/ MIA Chef De Cuisine .

Chef Aldo joined the Mercadito family in 2004 as an hourly employee and worked his way up to the position of Executive Corporate Chef. Aldo is responsible for managing the culinary direction and day-to-day operations of Mercadito Hospitality venues throughout the United States, and overseeing the opening of new restaurant locations across the nation.

Aldo developed his passion for cuisine at a very young age. Both his grandmother and mother fostered his appreciation for cooking and always encouraged his exploration in the kitchen. Inspired by the Mexican cuisine, Aldo yearned to learn more about cooking techniques, trends, ingredients and proper etiquettes that he now uses to create traditional Mexican food with great regard to the techniques and flavor profiles of each bite.

Chef Aldo is described by his peers, employees, purveyors and beyond as a kind man with a warm smile and undeniable culinary skills. He is well respected among the culinary scene and is highly praised for his humble leadership skills.

Mercadito