Meet Chef Victor Avelar
Chef Victor Avelar’s culinary story starts in the kitchens of Chicago, where his father built a career from the ground up — starting as a dishwasher and working his way to head chef. By the time his dad landed at Beat Kitchen in Roscoe Village, Victor was a kid, spending afternoons and weekends watching him work. In his teenage years, Victor was already holding his own during service. He later trained at Kendall Culinary School, but when the pandemic hit, Victor took over as head of the kitchen at Beat Kitchen on the Riverwalk, where he drove menu innovation and managed a high-volume operation 7 days a week.
At just 21 years old, Victor took on the role of Head Chef at Bar Sol, a standout restaurant perched on Chicago’s iconic Navy Pier. Tasked with a full culinary revamp, he transformed the concept from taqueria-style street food to refined Latin coastal cuisine — highlighting dishes like Argentinian parrillada, stuffed lobster, and vibrant seafood-forward plates. His signature dish, Huachinango Thailandes (Thai Red Snapper), blends Mexican and Thai flavors, reflecting Victor’s fearless approach to global fusion. His leadership helped land Bar Sol the opportunity to cater an event for the Democratic National Convention, and he has been featured across Chicago news media for his bold flavors and innovative vision. In early 2025, Chef Victor had the unique honor of studying Peruvian ceviche with famed Panamanian Chef Aristóteles Breña and collaborated to bring ceviche to the menu at Bar Sol.
“I like finding different ways to use the ingredients I grew up with. It’s cool when a dish ends up being something totally new but still feels familiar.”
Victor’s strengths lie in seafood, knife work, and designing visually striking, flavor-packed small plates like his Tuna Ceviche Tostadas. Whether he’s crafting custom menus for private events or leading a packed dinner rush, he brings calm focus and creativity to the kitchen. He draws constant inspiration from street food stalls, fine dining experiences, and everything in between.
With deep roots in Chicago kitchens and an eye toward the future, Chef Victor Avelar is a pivotal member of the next generation redefining modern Latin cuisine.
