Durham Chef Oscar Diaz is bringing national attention to one of North Carolina’s most vibrant food cities as a standout contestant on Top Chef. His appearance highlights Durham’s rise as a go-to destination for innovative dining.
Diaz is the chef and owner of Little Bull, a restaurant recognized by the Michelin Guide to the American South. He also operates three others in the city, Aaktun, Tataco and Barbaro. Together, they reflect his distinct approach to cooking, which blends Mexican flavors, Southern influences and global techniques into what he calls “pocho cuisine.”
Born and raised in Chicago, Diaz’s connection to food was shaped early through summers spent with family in Jalisco, Mexico. Those experiences, paired with professional training in Michelin-recognized kitchens in Las Vegas and Los Angeles, continue to shape his cooking today…