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@ranchandcoast RANCH & COAST MAGAZINE MAY 2024 55 Chef Amar Santana, Executive Chef/Partner, Vaca Born in the Dominican Republic, Amar Santana and his family immigrated to the U.S. when he was 13, settling in Queens, New York. In his teens, he completed an internship at Chef David Waltuck's Chanterelle, one of New York's famed French restaurants, followed by a two-week externship at London's Le Cordon Bleu. After graduating from high school, he enrolled at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, on a full scholarship. Soon after, Santana served on the opening teams for the acclaimed Charlie Palmer Steak and Fin Fish in Reno, Nevada, and Charlie Palmer at The Joule in Dallas. In 2007, Palmer selected Santana to run the kitchen of his first Southern California restaurant, Charlie Palmer at Bloomingdale's South Coast Plaza. Santana's career crescendo followed at age 30, when he opened his flagship restaurant, Broadway by Amar Santana in Laguna Beach. In 2015, together with business partner Ahmed Labbate, Santana went on to open Vaca across from South Coast Plaza in the area's renowned theater district. The Spanish-centric concept focuses on tapas, paellas, wood-grilled steaks, and an impressive cocktail and wine list. Santana has appeared in four seasons of Bravo's Top Chef and is currently serving as a judge on the show. RIGHT Embutidos y Quesos: Iberico pork chop, achiote sauce, pineapple relish — all imported from Spain