As Executive Chef of Le Sel Bistro in Washington D.C., Walter Silva is reimagining French cuisine. Originally from the seaside Callao District of Lima, Peru, Walter finds inspiration from his upbringing and experience in the kitchen as he puts a distinctive twist on traditional French plates to create a vibrant French dinner menu at our Dupont Circle hotel restaurant.
Walter credits his culture and upbringing as the catalyst for his love of cooking, celebrating the Peruvian philosophy of being obsessed with food. At sixteen, Walter began his culinary journey at an artisanal bakeshop where he developed a great foundation of traditional French pastry techniques. He describes it as one of the happiest times of his life, and a new career trajectory was born.
After immigrating to Virginia with his family, Walter attended culinary school at Stratford University while continuing to seek out experiences to expand his knowledge and refine his craft. These experiences range from fast-casual Vapiano restaurants to fine dining at Central Michel Richard and Charlie Palmer Steak. Most recently, Walter managed the kitchens of several locations of Barcelona Restaurant, including two in Washington, D.C.
Walter credits his time at Central Michel Richard as the place he truly honed his talents with French cuisine. Named at the time by Food and Wine Magazine as the ‘Best New Restaurant’ in the country, he realized a level of attention to detail, thoughtfulness behind the recipes, menu development, and an incredible energy that he had previously not explored, but with which he instantly resonated. Leaning on these skills while experimenting with global flavors and cooking methods, Walter defines a style that is truly unique and stands above the rest.
His relationships outside of the kitchen are also an integral part of Walter’s successes, as he maintains connections with local artisans and farmers to ensure the use of the freshest ingredients, supporting local businesses whenever he can. Walter takes these experiences and values into all he does at Le Sel. His energetic and approachable style is reflected not only in the cuisine but in the atmosphere of the restaurant, ranking Le Sel among the best French restaurants in Washington, DC.
© Copyright 2023 Le Sel. All rights reserved.