Alejandro Perez — Chef de Cuisine

As Chef de Cuisine, Alejandro Perez oversees the seasonal development and daily execution of Lilly's dinner menu, utilizing the freshest and highest quality products acquired from local farmers and purveyors.

Alex traces his love of the culinary arts and his approach to cooking from his Mexican and Korean heritage, both cultures rich in vibrant flavor in which great food is as much a birthright as a tradition. Born in Japan, raised in Germany, and with much family in the US, he has traveled extensively throughout Europe and the United States.

The early exposure to the gamut of culture and cuisine that Europe has to offer combined with the rich traditions of food and family in the United States inspired Alex at a young age and sparked the passion for his craft that ultimately lead to his pursuit of a degree in Culinary Arts from Sullivan University.

Nurtured and refined over that last 10 years by mentors such as Scott Crim, David Moller, Mike Cuhna, and Jim Gerhardt. He has worked side by side with some of the best chefs in the industry such as Frank Stitt, Martin Yan, Mark Franz and Emily Luchetti.

Alex believes that food should inspire reminiscence, nostalgically citing vivid childhood memories of his Grandmother making chorizo and eggs, and the smell of fresh tortillas. Through this, he strives to illustrate the beauty of simplicity in his cooking by bringing refinement and a certain degree of elegance to even the most basic ingredients.

With styles ranging from peasant French to modern gourmet, he seeks to create a lasting impression and an unforgettable experience with his dishes.