Danny Lledó

Chef Danny Lledó brings Valencian tradition to Washington, D.C., through his MICHELIN-starred restaurant Xiquet, showcasing paella mastery and a modern approach to Spanish and Mediterranean cuisine.

Chef

We talk about Danny Lledó

The Chef

Danny Lledó is the chef-owner of Xiquet in Washington, D.C., where he honors Valencian gastronomy. He developed his love of cooking from his father, an accomplished chef from Dénia, Spain, and later refined his skills at Spanish institutions including Taberna del Alabardero, Botín, and José Andrés’ ThinkFoodGroup.

Lledó’s Spanish tasting menu at Xiquet earned a MICHELIN Star in 2021 and has retained the distinction each year since, as well as AAA Five Diamond status since 2022. He is also one of the most decorated paella chefs in America, with eleven honors from competitions ranging from Los Angeles’ Paella Wine & Beer Festival to the Paella Valenciana de Sueca International Competition.

Born and raised in the Washington, D.C., area, Lledó brings a contemporary perspective to his Spanish heritage, guided by a culinary philosophy that balances time-honored techniques with innovation in Mediterranean gastronomy. He expands on this approach at his latest concept, El Taller del Xiquet, a more casual counterpart to Xiquet with an à la carte format that allows diners to explore traditional Valencian flavors in a relaxed setting.