By Eugenio Amézquita Velasco
-Baccan opens in Celaya, offering high-end gastronomy, an extensive list of paired wines, and accessible executive service.
-Sommelier Paco López and Carlos Castro lead Baccan restaurant in Celaya to provide high-excellence gourmet service.
-Baccan combines fine cuisine, events, and a carefully curated wine selection at competitive prices on López Mateos Boulevard in Celaya.
-With 30 years of experience, sommelier Paco López brings his international background to the new Baccan gourmet concept.
-The new Baccan restaurant offers an exclusive atmosphere, fine dining-level service, and an outstanding wine selection in Celaya.
Celaya's culinary and executive entertainment scene is expanding with the upcoming opening of Baccan, a new restaurant and bar concept located at 902 Adolfo López Mateos Boulevard West, designed to offer gourmet service and a curated selection of wines.
The front-of-house project is led by two hospitality industry professionals: sommelier Francisco Javier López Hernández ("Paco") and floor captain Carlos Castro. Both bring a combined track record in high-end establishments and wine regions across the country.
Paco López Hernández has 30 years of experience in the restaurant and wine industry. Highlights of his career include work at establishments such as El Caserío, El Trapío, Buenos Aires, BF Capital, Viñedo Los Remedios (in Comonfort), and Sonora Grill (in Corregidora). In the field of wine service, he is certified by the Sommelier Organization of Mexico (OMSON) in San Miguel de Allende, trained at the Universidad Anáhuac de Querétaro, holds a WSET certification, and belongs to the Court of Master Sommeliers.
For his part, Carlos Castro, a native of Celaya, adds extensive experience in fine dining after working at restaurants in cities such as Morelia, Mexico City, and Saltillo, focusing on executive service standards and a culture of customer care.
Management detailed that the concept aims to combine specialty cuisine with an extensive list of paired wines, offering accessible and competitive prices for the local, industrial, and business community.
With this operational and sommelier team in place, Baccan is preparing for its formal launch in the city, joining Celaya's list of dining options.
Interview transcript: Top sommeliers at Baccan Restaurant
Eugenio Amézquita:
Well, as always, here at Metro News and Guanajuato Desconocido, we love exploring new places, and this is one of them. It is a restaurant in Celaya where you can eat very well, but Baccan is a different concept; every restaurant has its own concept. I want to thank Paco and Carlos. Thank you, captains—you are the captains of this ship, the ones who will welcome guests every day here at 902 Boulevard West. Not only to eat, but also to enjoy a good drink and, why not, have a great time. I’d like to start with Paco. Paco, thank you. Where have you worked? Where have you been based, and what is your background?
Paco López:
Hello, good afternoon everyone. I'm Paco; my name is Francisco Javier López Hernández, but to those who know me well, I’m Paco. I have a long career and background—30 years in this industry. I’ve worked at El Caserío, spent time at El Trapío, worked at Buenos Aires, was a manager at BF Capital, worked at Viñedo Los Remedios, and at Sonora Grill in Corregidora. Viñedo Los Remedios over in Rincón de Los Remedios, in Comonfort, Guanajuato, is an excellent place—a beautiful venue with an authentic, historic hacienda, not a modern replica. It’s truly gorgeous.
Eugenio Amézquita:
Getting back to Baccan, what can guests expect when they meet Paco upon arriving here at Baccan?
Paco López:
When guests arrive, they will find great service, excellent food, and exceptional drinks. We bring a solid background; I’ve been a floor manager for many years and am currently certified as a sommelier by OMSON in San Miguel de Allende. I trained at Anáhuac University in Querétaro, hold WSET credentials, and belong to the Court of Master Sommeliers, which is the highest distinction for sommeliers. What will people find? Outstanding service, spectacular wine pairings, and special events, as my background and hands-on experience working in a vineyard give me deep insight into all areas of wine.
Eugenio Amézquita:
Excellent. On the other side, we have the younger, but no less capable, team member. Paco was telling me earlier—a wonderful gesture from someone with so much experience—he said, "Carlos brings a heavy background and deep preparation." Here you see the mix of youth and experience, which strengthens a business when both efforts combine. Tell us, who is Carlos?
Carlos Castro:
Hello, my name is Carlos Castro. Like Captain Paco, I have extensive experience in wine service within Fine Dining, which represents the highest standard in many places. I am originally from Celaya, but I built up a lot of experience outside the city. I worked for many years in Morelia, and my track record includes top restaurants in Mexico City. I've had the opportunity to keep traveling and working, with Saltillo being my last stop before joining Baccan today. I am very grateful for this vote of confidence. As management emphasizes, those of us leading this project—and everyone who visits or will visit the restaurant—have high expectations, and we are fully prepared to meet them.
Eugenio Amézquita:
I want to tell our audience: from the moment I walked in... one might assume it's a very select place, and I believe it is, but anyone can come in, enjoy, taste, and savor the food and wines offered here. However, the style is very executive and refined. I think more than a few entrepreneurs and business leaders will want to come see it for themselves in person, beyond just the photos. Great care is evident in everything, right down to the table settings. You'll hear from the chefs soon, but given the list of restaurants Paco mentioned and Carlos's background in major hubs like the national capital and state capitals like Morelia and Saltillo, there isn't much more to say. There is quality, experience, and above all, service here. Service is key. Anything else to add, Paco?
Paco López:
What I’d like to emphasize is that this place is for everyone. We will have very affordable prices. It’s a beautiful, new space with a well-executed concept—luxurious and well-presented, yet everyone is welcome. We'll offer very accessible prices, especially on wine, featuring one of the finest wine lists in the region thanks to partnerships with several commercial distributors. You really can't miss out on these prices; they will be accessible to all.
Eugenio Amézquita:
Well, at the very least, people know where they need to come for a glass of wine, Carlitos.
Carlos Castro:
It is a completely unique culinary offering focused on a culture of excellence. Every aspect of the service is detail-oriented to ensure guests enjoy an incredible experience and take the opportunity to discover something entirely fresh in terms of gastronomy and gourmet dining.
Eugenio Amézquita:
We continue here at Baccan because we still have several experts to interview who will be looking after you every day right here at Baccan. I’m Eugenio Amézquita with Paco and Carlos for Metro News and Guanajuato Desconocido. We look forward to your visit! #MetroNewsMx #GuanajuatoDesconocido
