LordMaynard Llera

The #GoldGala wouldn’t be complete without gathering everyone around the table—and thanks to our partners at @opentable , this year’s dinner was unforgettable. @hermusicofficial introduced the night’s chef, @cheflordmaynard of @kuyalord_la , who served up the Filipino flavors that landed him a James Beard Award last year. And if this recap is making you hungry, follow chef Llera’s lead and book some of his favorite restaurants in LA through the link in bio.

Still feeling incredibly honored to have been the guest Executive Chef for this year’s @goldhouseco Gold Gala. To @bingchen @rose_yam and the entire Gold Gala Team — thank you so much for the invitation and trust! Being part of an evening that celebrates the achievements of Asian and Pacific Islander leaders across entertainment, tech, sports, fashion, and beyond was deeply meaningful. It’s powerful to see our communities being recognized and uplifted on such a grand stage — and to be able to contribute through food made it even more special. Thank you to the Gold House team for bringing together such an inspiring group of stars, industry leaders, athletes, and influencers. It was amazing to meet so many brilliant people, hear their stories, and share some laughs along the way. And of course — it was extra special to see our Filipino family during the after party. So much love and energy in one room! Always a joy when we come together to celebrate one another and push our culture forward. Salamat from the bottom of my heart. This experience is one I’ll carry with me for a long time. 📸 1st & 2nd slide by @DanielSeungLee 3rd to 5th slide by @KanyaIwana #GoldHouse #GoldGala2025 #AAPIHeritageMonth #FilipinoPride #KuyaLord #PinoyRepresent #AAPIExcellence #ChefLife

Whew! What a week for me & for all of us! While at the airport heading back to LA from Chicago, I am posting this original speech below, which I cut short when I received this JBF award the other night. This is the entire "kodigo" 😆: @cheflordmaynard I would like to thank the @beardfoundation for recognizing my work and bestowing this honor upon me. I am truly honored & humbled to stand before all of you tonight to accept this prestigious award.   Being selected as one of the semifinalists, for me, is already an award itself. Thus, being one of the finalists is surreal! Now, being in front of you all receiving this final award is just a big wow! Like how did it happen? I am just cooking Chami and Lucenachon! This recognition is not just a testament to my individual efforts and hard work. But a reflection of the support, encouragement, and collaboration from many wonderful people in my life. I am fortunate enough to have mentors, friends, and family all throughout this journey. Of course, I would like to thank my wife @mregina77 who migrated to the US in 2008 just to be with me. Since day 1, she supported and encouraged me to pursue my passion, my career, my dream.  Thank you for believing in me and for standing by my side through every challenge and triumph. I would also like to thank my former boss/mentor, @chefori who never doubted my talent and skills. Your guidance, wisdom, and camaraderie have been invaluable. I am grateful for the opportunities to learn and grow alongside such talented chef. Most importantly, Kuya Lord won’t be celebrating its 2nd year anniversary this week, without our amazing Kuya Lord team, my Sous Chef @shampao , my past & present BOH & FOH. Lastly, to everyone who has been part of my journey, thank you! Each of you has played a significant role in helping me reach this point.   This is a reminder of the importance of hard work, perseverance, and the power of a supportive community, both Filipinos and Non-Filipinos. This acknowledgment means a lot to me, and inspires me to continue striving for excellence. Maraming Salamat po!! 🙏🏼🇵🇭🧡 ~ Lord Maynard @cheflordmaynard aka Kuya Lord 📸 by @galdophoto @hugegaldones

Yesterday at @baryoent felt like one big Filipino family reunion. 🧡🇵🇭 What made it so special wasn’t just the food, the music, or the packed crowd, it was the feeling of seeing everyone come together. Familiar faces, new friends, endless conversations, dancing, singing, eating, drinking, and celebrating our culture all at the Historic Filipino Town. We thought the very first Baryo in 2024 was unforgettable, but this year was truly on another level. The energy was unreal. Everyone was happy, alive, supportive, and somehow it felt like everyone knew everyone. That’s the best part of our community. We came not only to serve food, but to celebrate alongside all of you. Before culinary school in New York, @cheflordmaynard spent his college years in Manila around the U-Belt area. He often frequented the late-night paresans along España, and yesterday brought back all those memories. Feeling nostalgic, he created his own version of Beef Pares for Baryo, served with Java garlic rice, with the option to add an egg, and shared it for the very first time. And because so many of you have been asking if Kuya Lord would ever put sisig on the menu, Chef also recreated his Lucenachon Sisig: chopped crispy pork with crunchy skin, sautéed with lots of red onions, bell peppers, Thai chili, and his own sisig seasoning. To everyone who stopped by our booth, shared a meal with us, wore our shirts and trucker hats, took photos, said hello, or simply showed love . . . maraming salamat!!!! 🙏🏼 Seeing all of you meant so much to us. Huge thank you to @baryoent and the entire team for putting together another incredible event for the community. Thanks to our KL Team and CCAP students @imnot.rolin @just_.taryn who helped us throughout the day. Hope everyone had an amazing time because we definitely did. We’re back open today at Kuya Lord with our regular hours. See you at the restaurant!

Last year, @cheflordmaynard had the incredible honor of curating the menu for the @goldhouseco Gold Gala as the Guest Chef, pouring his heart into every plate to showcase the depth of Filipino cuisine. But last night, for the 5th Annual GoldHouse Gala, he experienced the magic from the other side of the table. There is an incredible energy that comes from being part of a meticulously-curated guest list with hundreds of multicultural luminaries and thought leaders, all gathered to bridge cultures and redefine excellence. Deep gratitude to @bingchen and @goldhouseco for the invitation and the vision. 🥂✨ #GoldGala

To all the nanays, titas, lolas ... tomorrow, Sunday, is for you 🧡 Join us on Mother’s Day for a few special dishes and a full day of family meals at Kuya Lord. Lunch, dinner, and walk-ins welcome! @cheflordmaynard got some exclusive Mother’s Day specials hitting the pass alongside all the classics you already crave: 🔸Specials For Mom: Almond wood-grilled Pork Tomahawk. LIMITED Almond wood-grilled Branzino: Beautifully charred on the outside, tender on the inside, served with soymansi and grilled lemon. LIMITED Scallops & Green Beans: We’re tossing these in a savory, umami-heavy XO Bagoong sauce. It’s deep, it’s salty, it's spicy and it’s perfect. We also collaborated with our neighbor friend @lagroceryandcafe and they curated special wine pairings that you may purchase from them (just a block away on Melrose/Manhattan) and bring to KL for your meal or simply bring home! 
■ Azimut “Brut Nature” Cava 2022
■ Where’s Linus Sauvignon Blanc 2022
■ Jaimee Motley Chenin Blanc
■ Ergellet Brother’s Malvasia Bianca
■ Domaine Castéra Jurançon Sec 2021 🔸Plan Your Visit 📍Kuya Lord ~ 5003 Melrose Avenue ⏰11:00 AM – 3:30 PM | 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM Parking: Look for street/metered spots, or just head to the Bank of America lot (4975 Melrose). It’s open all day Sunday—just scan the QR code and you're good. See you tomorrow ! ✨ 📸 @wonhophoto

Happy Birthday to the Kuya of all Kuyas. . . @cheflordmaynard ! Thank you for carrying Filipino flavors with pride and for building Kuya Lord with care, intention, and hospitality that feels like family. You’ve built more than a menu. You’ve built a home for Filipino food, culture, and community. We wish you all the best, good health, continued success, and more beautiful memories around the table. Maligayang Bati! 🧡 📸 @theloungebooth and in @pueyquinones barong

Another one! 🔥 Here is what Kuya Lord is most excited about for Isang Kusina this May 22nd. We’re honored to cook alongside you, Chef! If you’ve experienced Kuya Lord’s cooking, you know it’s a love letter to the flavors of Southern Luzon. Our research team tasked Kuya Lord with the final entree of the evening: What do you think this dish is…? Stay tuned for the menu drop next week!

How did Filipinos come to America? 🇵🇭🇺🇸 That’s the question we’re dying to answer at Isang Kusina this AANHPI Heritage Month. Our co-owner @monnylog sat down with 2024 James Beard Award for Best Chef of California — Lord Maynard Llera @cheflordmaynard — ahead of our biggest event yet, to learn more about his culinary journey. 🎟️ Under 100 tickets left. Dinner at 6 PM @ Keep Memory Alive Event Center. Grab yours now — IsangKusina.com (or link in bio!).

James Beard chefs dinner 🍽️ The James Beard Platinum dinner with award-winning chefs was such a memorable event. Held outdoors at Rancho Bernardo Inn, it was a 5-course intimate dinner featuring amazing food and drinks from: Ron Fougeray Avant @cheffoug62 Lord Maynard Kuya Lord @cheflordmaynard Jonathan Kinsella Rancho Bernardo Inn @jonathankinsella Matt Vawter Rootstalk @matty_vawter Being in the kitchen at Avant during dinner was just as memorable as sitting down to eat. It gave me a whole new respect for the level of detail that goes into each course. The meal included: 🥚 Hen Egg Custard, Crème Fraiche, Caviar 🐠 Local Crudo, Ajo Blanco, Strawberry 🦀 Galette de Crabe à la Georges Perrier 🦞 Lobster Laing Vol-au-Vent 🐟 Dover Sole Véronique 🐑 Elysian Farms Lamb Saddle 🍫 Chocolate & Passionfruit 🍷 Grgich Hills, Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley 223 🍷 Domaine Serene, Evenstad Reserve Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley OR, 2013 🍷 AXR Syrah, Stagecoach Vineyard, Napa Valley 2023 🍷 The Last Drop 1870 Very Old Tawny Port

KUYA LORD IS TURNING 4 next month! To celebrate four years of flavor, we’re taking things back to the roots and out to the patio. We aren’t just serving lunch or dinner. . . we’re hosting a family gathering, Filipino style. Introducing: The Back Patio Kamayan Series 🇵🇭 📅 Launching June 20 📍 Back Patio | Limited seats This is an intimate outdoor series. Seats are strictly limited. Mark your calendars! Bring your Kuyas, Ates, Pamilya, Barkada, Kasintahan, ATBP! TICKETS DROPPING SOON. 🎟️ Turn on your post notifications, tag your crew in the comments, and clear your calendar for June 20. You’ve never experienced Kuya Lord like this. 🧡

This Mother's Day, show your Nanay the love she deserves with a celebration that hits home. 💐 We are officially opening pre-orders for our limited-edition Nanay Trays and accepting table reservations to honor the queens of the family at Kuya Lord! 🧡 Nanay trays and other KL specials curated by @cheflordmaynard are available for pick up or delivery if you plan to enjoy the food at home. And if you want to join us in person at Kuya Lord, we can save a table for your family with your preordered dishes! Here are some of our Mother's Day a la carte specials: INIHAW NA PORK TOMAHAWK. almond wood-grilled pork tomahawk WAGYU OXTAIL KARE-KARE. GINISANG ALIMANGO SA ALIGUE.  dungeness crab in  housemadegarlic crab sauce. GINATAANG ALIMANGO. dungeness crab in coconut milk INIHAW NA BRANZINO. GREEN BEANS & SCALLOPS. We can also pair our signature dishes with a curated selection of amazing wines from our neighbors at @lagroceryandcafe !🍷 🗓 Preorder CUT-OFF: Sunday, May 3 @ 5 PM 🕰 SLOTS: 11 AM • 12:30 PM • 2 PM • 5 PM • 6:30 PM • 8 PM HOW TO BOOK: 🔸 Dine-In: Reservations for 6–12 guests (prepayment required). 🔸 At Home: Pre-order for pick-up or delivery (depends on distance and driver's availability) 📩 DM us now for the full menu or to secure your spot! 📧 Email: [email protected] Celebrate the queen of the family with us! ✨ Don't wait until the last minute!! Give her the kind of celebration she truly deserves. And.... Stay tuned for more exciting upcoming events! . . . #kuyalord #filipinofooddonemyway #losangeles