The Owners
The owners of La Tuna Restaurant and Bar, Marco Sanchez and his wife Jeovanna both grew up in homes where their parents cooked and family meals were an important part of the day. One of Marco’s favorite memories was time with his grandmother who spoiled him with special foods. At 17 years of age Marco went to the United States . But soon after, he ended up in Guadalajara working in the hospitality industry, working at Camino Real. He learned that hospitality meant, “Mucho Gusto” and “Mi Casa is Su Casa.” Being bilingual, he was put on the front desk. He then moved to the Presidente Intercontinental Cancun and fell in love with sales. Returning to Guadalajara a year later, he joined Hilton, where he learned a tremendous amount, including “Every Contact has an Opportunity.” Marco spent ten years with Hilton, where learned about business – structure, processes, and hospitality. In February 2001, he came to with his manager from Guadalajara to open the Hilton Los Cabos, which became the number one property of the company. In 2005, he became the night manager at the One & Only in Palmilla. There he learned about the focus and attention to detail that is necessary to achieve the highest level of customer service. From the guests, Marco learned even more and to not be afraid to go after the opportunities that are presented to you.
He first experience in the restaurant industry was at Pier 19 in downtown San Jose del Cabo where the staff were trained by the One & Only and where the security company that Marco started also worked. He learned that food needs to be served with love and passion. Judith Paz, one of La Tuna Restaurant and Bar was a chef at this restaurant.
Our Chefs
La Tuna Restaurant and Bar is pleased to have two exceptional chefs with extensive experience and training in different styles of cooking. Luca Cisca is from Sicily and has an incredible background in not only Italian food but in the menus and food made in the Michelin star restaurants in which he has worked. Judith Paz is a star at Mexican food from each of the different regions of Mexico. Together, the two chefs have created a menu that combines their skills and experience to offer not only seafood, the best of other cultures as well. Luca put it well when he said that the food at La Tuna Restaurant and Bar lets you travel the world, and experience the flavors, smells and taste of many cultures.
Chef Judith Paz
Chef Judith Paz brings more than 25 years of culinary experience to Los Cabos, holding leadership roles such as Supervisor, Banquet Chef, Sub-Chef, Executive Chef, Kitchen Manager, and Senior Sous Chef. Her career reflects a deep commitment to Mexican cuisine and a strong foundation in international gastronomy. Judith began her professional path at Hotel Presidente (2000–2003) as a Supervisor in room service and banquets. She later joined Hilton Los Cabos (2003–2007) as a Banquet Chef, where she coordinated and executed high-level events. It was during this time that she met Mr. Marco Sánchez.
Between 2008 and 2014, Judith continued to strengthen her leadership in key roles: Sub-Chef at The Chef’s Table (2008–2010) and Kitchen Manager at Damiana (2009–2010). From 2011 to 2012, she was invited by Mr. Marco Sánchez, then owner of Pier 19 Seafood & Bar, to serve as the restaurant’s Manager and Chef. She later became Executive Chef at Los Tres Gallos (2012–2014), where she led menu development, kitchen operations, purchasing, and banquet coordination.
One of her most demanding roles came at Hyatt Ziva Los Cabos (2017–2019) as Senior Sous Chef, where she oversaw operations for all the hotel’s restaurants, led a team of 135 collaborators, and ensured compliance with important audits and certifications. During the pandemic, Judith took advantage of the operational pause to further her professional education, earning the title of International Cuisine Chef (2020–2022), which strengthened her expertise in global culinary techniques and styles.
After expanding her experience in New York and supporting the opening of a restaurant at the Occidental Hotel in Mexicali, Judith returned to Los Cabos. It was then that Licenciado Marco Sánchez invited her to join at La Tuna Restaurant & Bar, where she now puts into practice her knowledge of Mexican cuisine, her solid leadership experience, and a global culinary perspective in developing the restaurant’s menu.
Luca and Judith worked together to expand the menu at La Tuna from a focus exclusively on seafood to include a dinner menu that would allow guests to experience their internation experience with homemade pastas, risottos, steaks and more.
Consulting Chef Luca Cisca
Luca Cisca started to cook at young age with his mother. His father, a rancher taught him about meat, cheese, and other items. At 15, Luca started to work in a bakery, Bianca in Sicily. At 16, he started working in a hotel as a helper in the pasta station. He moved on the Belmont Hotel. A few years later to a Michelin star restaurant, La Jara as a helper, learning more and more over 9 years until he took over the kitchen as Executive Chef. Luca had always wanted to explore opportunities in Latin America. On his honeymoon, he fell in love with Mexico. This ultimately led to him opening his first restaurant in Puerto Vallarta Jalisco in 2010 – Sabores Cecilia. Two years later, he opened his second restaurant and he worked both of these restaurants for eight years. Then came COVID, he closed his restaurants and focused on studying gastronomy even more.
He next step was to work for the Hard Rock Hotel in Punta Mita as a Mediterranean specialty chef. Later moving to the Four Season as the Executive Chef for the villas. At the same time studying Mexican and Asian foods. Two more years in Temecula, California at a restaurant in a winery prepared him for his latest project at La Tuna Restaurant and Bar.Our Location
Almost everyone who has visited San Jose del Cabo has seen the location of the G20 Summit held in Los Cabos. La Tuna Restaurant and Bar is on Blvd Forjadores across from this convention center and Tienda 17 in the large palapa covered building. There is ample parking in the lot on the side of the restaurant.
Our Staff
La Tuna Restaurant and Bar is very pleased with the kitchen, server, and management staff. Each day the whole staff meets at “The Lineup” to discuss anything new or special happening at the restaurant. There is ongoing training and support for the staff to ensure that the guests have the best experience possible at La Tuna. You will see Marco and his wife Jeovanna, as well as the chef visiting the tables in the restaurant throughout the day to welcome the diners, check on their experience, ask for their feedback and build personal relationship with their guests.
