One of Toronto’s best-known Mexican chefs is back with a new project.

Mexican-born chef Elia Herrera has officially opened Tecolote Market inside Toronto’s historic St. Lawrence Market, bringing authentic Mexican comfort food, family recipes and traditional flavours to one of the city’s most iconic food destinations.

From Veracruz to Toronto

Born in Córdoba, Veracruz, Herrera is a third-generation chef who trained at the Culinary Institute of Mexico before eventually making Toronto home.

She became a familiar face in the city through restaurants including Los Colibris, El Caballito and Colibri, and has appeared on Top Chef Canada, Top Chef Mexico and MasterChef Canada.

Tecolote marks her return to Toronto after spending several years in Calgary, where she operated the acclaimed Milpa.

The new St. Lawrence Market location offers an intimate eight-seat dining area alongside takeout, prepared foods and Mexican pantry products. The menu includes tacos, burritos, enchiladas, house-made salsas and fresh corn tortillas.

The name Tecolote means “owl” in Nahuatl and is a tribute to Herrera’s grandmother, whose cooking and entrepreneurial spirit inspired her career.

For Toronto’s growing Mexican food scene, having Herrera back in the city — this time inside one of Toronto’s most recognizable culinary landmarks — is a welcome homecoming.