OUR TEAM
PINO
LUONGO
OPERATING MANAGER
My second choice of great food has always been authentic Mexican cuisine.
With its focus on fresh ingredients and local flavors reflecting the diversity of Mexico’s regions, it reminds me of Italy.
Having introduced Italian regional cuisine to New Yorkers, I decided that featuring Mexican regional cuisine was an idea whose time had come.
I am honored to be working with renowned Mexican Chef, Ray Morales to bring our creative venture to life. Coco Tacos, authentic Mexican cuisine is available for lunch in Sutton Place.
IRENE
BECERRIL
MANAGER
Irene was also born in Mexico City and came to the US in her early 20’s, working in a variety of positions in the Washington D.C. and New York City hospitality sectors.
Having worked with Pino for eighteen months, Irene became his initial point of contact when he started conceptualizing his next project: bringing genuine Mexican cuisine to Sutton Place.
Becerrill's longstanding connection with Chef Morales marked the beginning of Pino’s vision taking shape. Shortly thereafter, a very successful meeting between Chef Ray and Pino resulted in a swift agreement to collaborate on what is now Coco Tacos!
Irene allows that she doesn’t cook, but absolutely loves to eat and talk about authentic Mexican cuisine. Don’t hesitate to ask her recommendations when you call.
RAY
MORALES
CHEF
Living in the United States since 1994, Chef Morales hails from Mexico City, where she received her culinary education at the Centro de Educación Profesional, México City.
She has worked at a variety of New York restaurants over the 30 years, first garnering a Michelin Star in 2020, with one every year to date.
Her favorite dishes to cook – other than those on the Coco Tacos menu – are the moles, very complex and complicated Mexican Ancestral sauces. Her favorite dessert is “Tres Leches,” and her favorite cuisine is from the State of Oaxaca. Not too surprising, as Oaxaca is known as Mexico's culinary heartland, and is famous for its array of complex and spiced moles.
