Carlos was born in Pontevedra, Spain in a small village tucked into the lush green mountains of the region of Galicia. He inherited his fascination for cooking from his father who worked as a chef on an ocean liner. Carlos spent his early years in Madrid as an apprentice in several major hotels in the capital. In 1975, he opened his own restaurant/café in the Tetuán neighborhood of Madrid where he worked as a chef until he came to the United States in 1978. His dream was to open a restaurant here in the states and introduce to Americans the rich and varied cuisine of his native Spain. After several years of working and planning, the "impossible dream" came true and he opened Restaurante Don Quijote in 1985 in downtown Valparaiso. This establishment is, to this day, the only Spanish restaurant in the state of Indiana.

Elena Jambrina, Assistant Chef/Business Manager

Elena is a native of the historic and picturesque town of Zamora, located in the northern Spanish region of Castile. She came to the United States in 1980 and began working at Restaurante Don Quijote in 1985 as a dessert chef. Her ability to replicate traditional Spanish dishes and desserts and her talent for innovation made her a valuable addition to the staff. In 1991, she became a partner in the business and assumed her present position of Assistant Chef and Business Manager. Elena is currently involved in a new business venture with her partner, Carlos Rivero. They recently opened a Spanish import shop located next to the restaurant.