--- title: Tuesday, June 11th, 2019. description: In this Daily, we talk about tonight's Native Terroir Pop Up dinner, a special event that has a particular connection to the story of Chef Gilberto Briceño image: https://thedaily.lascatalinascr.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/58978613_179028966356927_1956682679848832831_n-600x449-1.jpg --- # Tuesday, June 11th, 2019. [mailto:?subject=I%20wanted%20you%20to%20see%20this%20site&body=https://thedaily.lascatalinascr.com/daily-june-11th-2019](mailto:?subject=I%20wanted%20you%20to%20see%20this%20site&body=https://thedaily.lascatalinascr.com/daily-june-11th-2019) [Book](https://www.lascatalinascr.com/section/booking) ## In this Daily: A Traveling Soul Tonight at the Beach Club, Chef Gilberto Briceño will be hosting [*Cuba Libre*](mailto:concierge@lascatalinascr.com), a meal inspired by the vibrant culture and cooking traditions of Cuba. There’s a story behind all of the *Alma Viajera* Pop-Ups, drawing the road that took Chef Briceño to Las Catalinas. A few years ago Chef Briceño left Costa Rica. He took a one way ticket to Spain drawn by a powerful love for cooking. He had no exit strategy and only a vague plan. Nonetheless, he was driven by his dream and the fierce determination to make it a reality. He managed to find a home in some of the premier kitchens of Europe, working for room and board under the tutelage of culinary greats. ![Gilberto Briceño European Journey](https://thedaily.lascatalinascr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/39992137_230025631192179_8845463452232187904_n-600x419-1.jpg?width=600&height=419&name=39992137_230025631192179_8845463452232187904_n-600x419-1.jpg) ## A Culinary Journey His journey took him from Barcelona through the continent to Stockholm. In time he found himself drawn back to the Americas, making his return across the sea at the continent’s tip in Patagonia. It was a few months later, in a restaurant in Brazil, when a chance conversation gave rise to a new focus, and a new vision. > *“I was talking to these people, and they told me that they had driven 9 hours to come eat at this restaurant. And I thought, wow, that’s amazing. This food was so special that people would drive 9 hours to come eat it. I want to make something that is that special here in Costa Rica.”* ![Costa Rican Cuisine Gilberto Briceño](https://thedaily.lascatalinascr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/58978613_179028966356927_1956682679848832831_n-600x449-1.jpg?width=600&height=449&name=58978613_179028966356927_1956682679848832831_n-600x449-1.jpg) To do that, Chef Briceño is embracing the colorful, exciting, and sometimes strange possibilities provided by Costa Rican ingredients. A natural bounty rivaling any nation in the world. However, he also loves to bring in elements of his travels. Influence of his travels to Japan, France, Cuba, South America and more inspire cooking.  The one constant is the fact that into each meal he weaves stories of his childhood, his travels, and his love for the land that he calls home. Take a listen when you’re at *Cuba Libre *tonight, because they’re stories that he loves to share. Photo Credits to Chef Briceño ## See related posts ## [Sunday, August 11th, 2019.](https://thedaily.lascatalinascr.com/daily-august-11th-2019) [In this Daily: Día de la Madre (Costa Rican Mother’s Day) and the Week Ahead](https://thedaily.lascatalinascr.com/daily-august-11th-2019) [Read more](https://thedaily.lascatalinascr.com/daily-august-11th-2019) ## [Monday, November 18th, 2019.](https://thedaily.lascatalinascr.com/daily-november-18th-2019) [In this Daily: The Pura Vida Ride Paddle Battle and the Intrepid Challenge](https://thedaily.lascatalinascr.com/daily-november-18th-2019) [Read more](https://thedaily.lascatalinascr.com/daily-november-18th-2019) ## [Wednesday, August 28th, 2019.](https://thedaily.lascatalinascr.com/daily-august-28th-2019) [In this Daily: A Look at the National Parks of Costa Rica](https://thedaily.lascatalinascr.com/daily-august-28th-2019) [Read more](https://thedaily.lascatalinascr.com/daily-august-28th-2019) ## [Monday, September 23rd, 2019.](https://thedaily.lascatalinascr.com/daily-september-23rd-2019) [In this Daily: The Monkeys of Guanacaste](https://thedaily.lascatalinascr.com/daily-september-23rd-2019) [Read more](https://thedaily.lascatalinascr.com/daily-september-23rd-2019) #### Subscribe to The Blog, The Daily, The Newsletter, and more Additionally you will receive our occasional newsletter. Absolute confidentiality. Never SPAM. You can unsubscribe at any time.