About
About Chef Danny Lledó
It’s fitting that Chef Danny Lledó’s nickname as a child living in his father’s hometown of Dénia in Spain was “Xiquet de casa,” which means “local boy.” This nickname, which now adorns his MICHELIN Star restaurant in Washington DC, speaks not only of his childhood years in Valencia, but also of his deep roots in the DC area where he now makes his home and has owned and operated restaurants for many years.
Chef Danny, owner of Bacora Hospitality, was born in Takoma Park, Maryland, not far from where he now lives. On his daily commute down to the Glover Park neighborhood where his restaurants are located, he passes many landmarks that remind him of his years in the area. When he arrives at work and begins to light the wood fires in his glass-enclosed kitchen at Xiquet (chee-KETT), he is transported to a different era of his childhood, in the town of Dénia, with its freshly-caught seafood, abundant local produce, and world-famous rices and paellas.
As the son of an accomplished Spanish chef, it might seem inevitable now that Danny would be where he is today. But his path to becoming the most awarded paella chef in the US and owner of two notable restaurants has not always been a straight one. During his college years at The University of Maryland in College Park, he studied finance (while working in restaurants, of course). After graduation, he began financial consulting. But over the years, the pull of hospitality became too strong to ignore, and he turned his gaze back toward the kitchen.
The years in the DC area and in Dénia, his Spanish and Portuguese heritage, his experience in renowned restaurants, and his strong foundation in finance all come together at Xiquet. From carefully sourcing the finest products for his tasting menu and wine collection, to ensuring his fine dining restaurant survived a global pandemic that began just two weeks after opening its doors, every aspect in Chef Danny’s career has contributed to his current success.
From running around the kitchens of his father’s friends as a boy in Valencia to earning his first MICHELIN star for a restaurant he created to honor his father, there’s perhaps never been a more fitting story for the classic headline of “local boy makes good” than that of Chef Danny Lledó.
1977
Danny Lledó is born in Takoma Park, MD. His mother, Maria Helena, is from Portugal, and his father, Isaias, hails from Valencia, Spain. They met in Washington, DC after Maria Helena immigrated to the US following some time in Brazil, and Isaias came to work as a chef following eight years in Paris after studying at Le Cordon Bleu
1985 - 1987
Danny moves with his parents to his father’s hometown of Dénia in Valencia. There he spent time in the kitchens of family friends, at his grandparents’ farm, and on his uncle’s fishing boat
1990+
After his family returns to the US, Danny spends his high school years attending Our Lady of Good Counsel in Silver Spring, MD, wrestling, and helping his father out around the kitchens of various DC institutions, including Ridgewells Catering.
1998
Danny meets and works for renowned Chef Yannick Cam at his Bistro Provence, an experience that built his confidence in his culinary skills, gave him discipline, and taught him how to produce at a high level. Danny credits his experience with Cam (whose style reminds Danny of his father’s) with teaching him to ‘attack from the line of scrimmage’ in the kitchen
1999 - 2000
Danny works at Taverna Alabardero, deepening his appreciation for Spanish wine, tasting menus, and world-class hospitality
2001 - 2002
Danny works in the Miami outpost of Sobrino de Botin, which is famed for its status as the oldest continually operating restaurant in the world.
Returning to the DC area, Danny works at Chef Jose Andres’ Jaleo, Cafe Atlántico, and MiniBar.
2003
After graduating from University of Maryland with a degree in Finance, Danny begins financial and operational consulting for clients in the restaurant industry. After several years on that side of the business, he decides his heart lies in the operation and begins to move back toward hands-on roles in hospitality
2012
To deepen his understanding of flavor and balance, Danny certifies as a Level 1 Sommelier.
Danny becomes restaurant owner and managing director of Fancy Hospitality; he and partner Chris Chambers (a friend since high school) take over Crush Kitchen & Winehouse in Annapolis, Maryland.
2013
Danny joins the partnership of Slate Wine Bar in Glover Park, eventually buying out the other partners in 2019. Over the years as proprietor and chef, Danny hosts many wine dinners and becomes an integral part of the neighborhood’s restaurant community
2016
Danny takes home Best Paella at the Paella, Wine, and Beer Festival in Los Angeles, CA
2017
Danny wins People’s Choice Paella at Paella Wine & Beer Festival in Orange County, CA
2018
Danny is recognized for Best Valencian Paella at Paella Wine & Beer in San Diego, CA.
Danny repeats his Best Paella win at the Paella, Wine, and Beer Festival in Los Angeles, CA.
May 2019
Danny receives Best Paella at PaellaFest in Washington, DC.
Danny is a Finalist at Fideua de Gandia International Competition in Valencia, Spain.
SepTember 2019
Danny is honored with the Accèsit Award at the Paella Valenciana de Sueca International Competition. Representing the United States, was one of just 40 paella chefs from around the world who qualified to compete. In the 59-year history of the competition, only three Americans have placed in this International competition
March 2020
Danny opens the doors of Xiquet, just upstairs from Slate, achieving his dream of creating a fine-dining Valencian restaurant in honor of his father
March 2020
The WHO declares COVID19 a global pandemic, causing local governments around the US to shutter restaurants. Danny and his team move quickly and pivot toward to-go experiences, wine tastings, paella classes over Zoom, and meal kit delivery services
January 2021
Washington DC rolls back the COVID-era indoor dining restrictions to 25% capacity, allowing Danny and his team to welcome guests back to Xiquet’s dining room
APril 2021
Danny and his team receive a MICHELIN Star from the 2021 MICHELIN Guide Washington DC — the first US Valencian restaurant to receive this honor, and the only Spanish restaurant in the District to do so
November 2021
At Mediterránea Gastrónoma 2021, Danny is recognized as a Chef Ambassador of the Valencian Community for his passion for sharing the products and traditions of the region with his guests
April 2022
The 2022 RAMMY Award Finalists are announced: Chef Danny’s Xiquet is a included for Formal Fine Dining Restaurant of The Year, and Slate Wine Bar for Wine Program of The Year.
May 2022
The MICHELIN Guide awards Xiquet a Star for the second time, and honors the restaurant team’s wine program with the 2022 Sommelier of The Year Award.
November 2022
AAA awards Xiquet its coveted Five Diamond designation, making it the only restaurant in Washington DC with that distinction at the time.
May 2023
Chef Danny has the distinct honor of meeting Her Majesty Queen Sofía of Spain during a showcase of Spanish products and cuisine called “Spain Fusion” across Texas.
Jun-Nov 2023
The second half of 2023 proves to be an award-winning season for Xiquet and Chef Danny, garnering a Michelin Star for the third time, Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence, and the RAMMY for Formal Fine Dining Restaurant of The Year.