{"id":10624,"date":"2026-09-24T18:59:55","date_gmt":"2026-09-24T16:59:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thevisitorpanama.info\/eng\/?p=10624"},"modified":"2026-09-24T19:13:13","modified_gmt":"2026-09-24T17:13:13","slug":"10624","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thevisitorpanama.info\/eng\/2026\/09\/24\/10624\/","title":{"rendered":"Chef Carlos Lucas: \u201cIts architecture and more than 350 years of history make Casco Antiguo a unique spot among Panama\u2019s culinary destinations\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In an industry like culinary tourism\u2014where creativity and innovation are the driving forces\u2014passion acts as the fuel that propels it along paths capable of exceeding all expectations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That is why our featured guest is a culinary professional who discovered his true calling when he realized he didn\u2019t want to work behind a desk, prompting him to leave an engineering degree program to study the culinary arts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This same drive led him down uncharted paths: from preparing Kosher food alongside his college best friend, Frida Fallas, and working in a pizzeria, to playing a key role in the opening of Ten Bistro under the guidance of Chef Fabian Migny. His career path saw him working alongside renowned culinary personalities such as David Henesy, Ruben Ortega-Vieto, Charlie Collins, and Felipe Milanes, as well as competing in Top Chef Panama in 2017 and the 2019 All Stars edition. Currently, Chef Carlos Lucas serves as the culinary and creative lead at the acclaimed Mahalo restaurant in Casco Antiguo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Chef CCarlos Lucas <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His charisma, the respect he has earned within the industry, and his high level of professionalism shine through in this exclusive interview with The Visitor-El Visitante, where he shares his passion, vision, and insights regarding the development of national culinary tourism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What makes our cuisine unique, and how can we distinguish it from that of other countries in the region?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Panama\u2019s culinary scene has grown thanks to the influx of foreign migrants and the visibility of renowned chefs from around the world. Hearing their stories\u2014ranging from tales of hardship to inspiring accounts\u2014has sparked interest among young people eager to achieve fame and wealth, as well as to create and experiment with new trends and flavors, whether international or indigenous to the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Panama is a melting pot of cultures; we have always been a transit country, which has paved the way for a blend of international flavors\u2014predominantly Asian, French, and Mediterranean, and increasingly Afro-Caribbean. Add to this the ability to travel from one ocean to the other in under two hours, and our country becomes a unique regional hub where you can access the best of every continent, along with top-quality ingredients\u2014whether domestic or imported\u2014to work with\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Mahalo is located in Casco Antiguo. How does this area of \u200b\u200bPanama City differ from other districts that also boast a rich culinary scene, and how does it enhance the tourist experience?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Panama Viejo was the first European colonial settlement in the Americas; following its destruction, the new city was rebuilt in Casco Antiguo in 1673. It is not merely the current gastronomy that sets the area apart\u2014though that certainly drives its appeal\u2014but rather a combination of factors: art, over 350 years of history, and a strong drive to boost tourism. All these elements make it unique compared to other culinary destinations in Panama. Walking the streets of Casco fills you with energy, pride, and a feeling that many domestic and international tourists struggle to put into words. When you add a multicultural culinary scene to the mix, the result is a truly unique, unparalleled destination\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is Mahalo\u2019s culinary concept, and how does it complement the visitor experience in Casco Antiguo?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Mahalo Cocina y Jardin offers not just a melting pot of unique flavors, but also an opportunity for those seeking a balance between healthy, traditional, and bold elements. It provides options for diners who\u2014without feeling deprived\u2014need to manage food intolerances or simply wish to maintain high nutritional standards, all without sacrificing flavor or the overall dining experience\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Chef CCarlos Lucas <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

With coffee currently the talk of the town ahead of the World of Coffee event in October… how is coffee boosting Panama’s culinary\u2014and by extension, tourism\u2014potential?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

“For over 20 years, Panama has been breaking global records for coffee price and quality, with coffee from the Chiriqui highlands achieving unprecedented standards of excellence. This has paved the way for more specialty coffee shops and created opportunities for culinary fusion and the arrival of world-class baristas. These professionals can now sample and work directly with a premium product\u2014an experience that might otherwise be prohibitively expensive or even just a dream for many foreigners. In turn, this has sparked a massive movement among tourists and investors interested in the sector, who are\u2014in a sense\u2014compelled to sample the local cuisine and enjoy an exceptional dining experience\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the three most popular dishes at Mahalo, and why?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

“During brunch hours, the most popular dishes at Mahalo are Huevos al Montuno (gluten-free), Turkish Eggs, and the Greek Yogurt Bowl (featuring homemade yogurt). In the evening, crowd favorites include Camarones Rusticos (Rustic Shrimp, noted for its balanced flavors), Sesame-Crusted Tuna (fresh and healthy), and Shrimp Curry (bold flavor)\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photos courtesy: Chef Carlos Lucas \u2013 Mahalo Restaurant.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In an industry like culinary tourism\u2014where creativity and innovation are the driving forces\u2014passion acts as the fuel that propels it along paths capable of exceeding all expectations. That is why our featured guest is a culinary professional who discovered his true calling when he realized he didn\u2019t want to work behind a desk, prompting him […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":10629,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[32],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thevisitorpanama.info\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10624"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thevisitorpanama.info\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thevisitorpanama.info\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thevisitorpanama.info\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thevisitorpanama.info\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10624"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.thevisitorpanama.info\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10624\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10641,"href":"https:\/\/www.thevisitorpanama.info\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10624\/revisions\/10641"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thevisitorpanama.info\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10629"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thevisitorpanama.info\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10624"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thevisitorpanama.info\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10624"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thevisitorpanama.info\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10624"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}