Chef 5 Bites: Ruffino Bautista

Originally from Intipuca, El Salvador, Ruffino Bautista is chef de cuisine at Metrocurean fave Estadio. Raised on a farm just outside the city where he helped his father tend the animals and maintain the fields, Bautista developed an understanding and passion for food.

He moved to DC in 1996, starting restaurant work as a busser before moving to Asia Nora where he met chef Haidar Karoum. Karoum, now executive chef at Proof and Estadio, took notice of Bautista’s skills and brought him into the kitchen full time.

When he's not manning the open kitchen at the back of Estadio, you can find Bautista dining on these dishes.

1. Miso soup from North Sea

2. Carnitas tacos at Super Tacos and Bakery

3. When I like to feel like I'm back home in El Salvador, I go for pupusas revueltas (chicharron and cheese stuffed tortillas) at La Casita

4. Mariscada, a creamy seafood stew with shrimp, mussels, rock fish and a half of lobster, at El Tamarindo

5. Peruvian chicken at El Pollo Rico in Arlington (Love that sauce.)

Photo by Javier Ortega

Where do DC's top chefs eat when they're not on the clock? Find out in CHEF 5 BITES.

Where do DC's top chefs eat when they're not on the clock? Find out in CHEF 5 BITES.
Where do DC's top chefs eat when they're not on the clock? Find out in Where do DC's top chefs eat when they're not on the clock? Find out in