Michelle Estigoy

Cultura Comida y Bebida
Carmel by The Sea, California -

Michelle Estigoy grew up in the Central Valley and was inspired by the wide variety of culture and food that it offers, this helped her to widen her scope and palette. Smelling the spices as they were being freshly ground in the molcajete, helping to cut the espinas off the nopales, picking the eggs, pecans, and pomegranates with her Maternal Grandma Rosa these experiences helped her to build the base of a farm to table mentality at a young age. But most of all watching and helping her Grandma Rosa use these fresh ingredients to create delicious food without written recipes planted the seeds of Michelle’s future career. After initially pursuing a career in education she later decided to nurture her natural gift and love for cooking. She enrolled, and excelled in culinary school and upon completion of Culinary School she soon after began her culinary career in the Central Coast. Casanova in Carmel by The Sea is where she got her start. She soon gained experience by trying her hand at all the positions in the kitchen and before long she was simultaneously working at Casanova's sister restaurant at the time; Bicyclette. After cutting her teeth in Carmel she later moved on to the highly acclaimed Sierra Mar at the Post Ranch Inn, located in Big Sur. Executive Sous Chef was the role she soon found herself in at Sierra Mar. This experience at Sierra Mar proved favorable for many reasons one being that she was was able to once again work with her mentor, (and current business partner) John Cox, who has helped shape her culinary career here on the coast. Sarah Kabat Marcy, who at the the time was a highly sought after somelier also proved to be a valuable industry connection.You can now find Executive Chef Michelle Estigoy and her business partner Sarah Kabat Marcy pursuing their passions for California and Mexican Cuisine and Beverages at Cultura Comida y Bebida, located in Carmel by The Sea on Dolores between 5th & 6th in the Su Vecino Courtyard.