Hailing from Torreón Coahulia, Mexico, Chef Fermín Núñez represents two of Austin’s top restaurants, Suerte and Este. With more than 12 years of culinary expertise, he was named FOOD & WINE IBest New Chef in 2021. Núñez’s dedication to honoring authentic Mexican cuisine, culture, and traditions through an elevated dining experience has put his restaurants on the map with features on Netflix’s “Tile Taco Chronicles”, Bon Appetit, MUNCHIES, The New York Times, Robb Report and more.

In 2018, Chef Núñez and restaurateur Sam Hlelllman-Mass opened Suerte with a mission to create their own genre of Mexican cooking while amplifying the beauty Núñez home country. Rooted in a love for masa, Núñez sought to combine ingredients sourced by Texas farmers, such as heirloom corn, with traditional Mexican cooking techniques in unexpected ways. An industry leader and Austin-local, he previously worked at other Austin favorites including Launderette, La Condesa and Uchiuko and holds a Culinary Arts associate’s degree from The Art Institute of Houston.

Este, the latest concept from Núñez and Hellman-Mass opened to rave reviews in fall 2022. The coastal Mexican restaurant celebrates fresh seafood sourced from close relationships with premier fishmongers, charcoal cooking, and focuses on taking the canvas of heirloom corn masa and cooking seafood with a Mexican point of view.