Luna, a Mexican native oversaw two highly praised Mexican restaurants in San Francisco; Mamacita and Padrecito. She achieved two three star reviews from the San Francisco Chronicle and a Top 100 Bay Area Restaurants award from the San Francisco Chronicle, five years in row during her time at the helm. Restaurant critic Michael Bauer mentioned “Padrecito signals the rise of Mexican restaurants in the Bay Area”. For her continued dedication in staying seasonal, vegetable driven and regionally inspired Michelin Guide awarded Mamacita with six Bib Gourmand awards.

After having visited Portland for years she made the move to the Pacific Northwest in 2015, In hopes of opening a restaurant and forming part of community. Numerous mentions from reviews to pieces on identity via Eater, Portland Monthly, The Oregonian and Portland Mercury. Luna continues to be an active member in community through endless fundraising efforts from Taste PDX, Roux Portland, as well as by continued positive awareness of transgender beings at Feast Portland.

Luna has fought most of her life affirming and embracing her true identity. She finally embarked in starting hormone replacement therapy after a long battle with gender dysphoria. This continued journey brings a renewed passion to the approach of staying humble, honest, and real. A proud transgender woman, Luna, currently operates the roving pop-up Chelo with bartender Michelle Ruocco and most recently launched a small batch condiment line into select retailers in Portland and Seattle.

Being a part of Family Meal at a board level will help apply fifteen years of management experience in the hospitality industry. Being an immigrant and proud Mexican American she will begin to work directly with the migrant, farm worker, immigrant, BIPOC transgender community of Portland, Oregon and beyond.