César Murillo Biography – César Murillo Wiki
César Murillo is an Executive Chef at North Pond currently living in Chicago, Illinois. He is a contestant on Top Chef season 22 dubbed Top Chef: Destination Canada.
Born in Chihuahua, Mexico, and raised in Dallas, Texas, Chef César Murillo discovered his passion for the hands-on, creative world of the kitchen at a young age. After graduating from the Texas Culinary Academy, he launched his career in Chicago, working under acclaimed chef and restaurateur Rick Bayless at Frontera Grill and Xoco, where he mastered the foundations of authentic Mexican cuisine.
Seeking deeper knowledge of farming, foraging, and hyper-local ingredients, César moved to San Francisco, refining his craft at Nopalito and Cocina Latina. After two years on the West Coast, he returned to Chicago’s fine-dining scene, joining the prestigious three-Michelin-starred restaurant Grace as a sous chef. His dedication and skill helped the restaurant maintain its coveted Michelin status throughout his tenure.
Continuing his ascent in the culinary world, César joined Sepia, where he further honed his distinct culinary voice before taking on the role of executive chef at North Pond in 2020. At North Pond, he seamlessly blends his Mexican heritage with the restaurant’s farm-to-table philosophy, incorporating fresh ingredients from his rooftop garden and surrounding landscapes.
Beyond the kitchen, Chef César Murillo finds inspiration in nature, often hiking through the wilderness or running along Lake Michigan, training for his next marathon. His commitment to sustainability, innovation, and cultural authenticity continues to shape his journey as one of Chicago’s top culinary talents.
César Murillo Age
His hometown is Dallas, Texas.
César Murillo Top Chef
César Murillo is a contestant on Top Chef; Destination Canada. The cooking reality show is in its 22nd season and will take place in Canada. It premieres on March 13, 2025.
He wrote on an instagram post alongside his picture, “YOO SZN 22!! AND IM ON IT!! AHHH! I’m blessed to be a part of Top Chef and grateful for all the people who supported me on the journey there 🍁🍁🍁”
He is competing alongside other 14 chefs who are ; Kat Turner, Anna “Anya” El-Wattar, Paula Endara, Tristen Epps, Corwin Hemming, Katianna Hong, Lana Lagomarsini, Henry Lu, Vincenzo “Vinny” Loseto, Zubair Mohajir, Massimo Piedimonte, Bailey Sullivan,Shuai Wang and Mimi Weissenborn.
This season’s grand prize includes $250,000; $125,000 in Delta flight credit; a feature in Food & Wine magazine; and an appearance at the annual Food & Wine Classic. Plus, the winner will have a chance to present at The James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards in Chicago, Ill., and to headline an exclusive dinner at the James Beard house in New York. Quickfire Challenges are back, so the chefs will also be competing for $150,000 in cash prizes throughout the season.
César Murillo Instagram
His Instagram handle is @chef.cesarmurillo.
