Carlos Anthony Ochoa | Source | Executive Chef at Hawkeye & Huckleberry Lounge

Carlos Anthony Ochoa is the Executive Chef of Hawkeye & Huckleberry Lounge, the ranch-to-plate gem opened by celebrated chef Brian Malarkey and his brother James. Where Brian is the heart, Carlos is the hands, executing their collective vision with a passion for hands-on community involvement with diners, farmers, and the next generation of chefs. For over a decade, Carlos has been Brian Malarkey's trusted collaborator, helping to launch an impressive 13 restaurants across the country. Their partnership is built on a shared culinary vision – Brian brings the creative direction, while Carlos expertly executes it in the kitchen. This dynamic duo has achieved remarkable success, with Carlos being named Best Chef in San Diego by the San Diego Reader in 2023. For the past eight years, he has led the kitchen at Herb & Wood, the crown jewel of the Puffer/Malarkey collective and a Michelin-rated restaurant for six consecutive years.

Carlos brings more than just his culinary expertise to Bend. He's a community builder with a passion for sustainable food systems and education. In California, he went beyond partnering with nonprofits like Berry Good Food and the Ecology Center. Carlos took it a step further by developing and implementing garden programs in public schools. He created a movement, raising funds to establish these programs and personally teaching children about the intricacies of farm-to-table concepts. You could often find him in elementary school classrooms, not just teaching kids to cook with ingredients from their school gardens but helping to cultivate those gardens and build a lasting infrastructure for food education.

Now, Carlos is eager to forge similar connections in Bend. He's particularly excited about Hawkeye & Huckleberry's deep farm-to-table approach, with many ingredients sourced directly from the Malarkey's P-B Hawkeye Ranch. Carlos envisions taking this concept even further, aiming to eventually supply the entire restaurant from the ranch and deepen his team's connection to the food they serve.

If you've caught any food TV in the last decade, you've likely seen Carlos in action. He's been a Food Network regular, appearing on shows like "Tournament of Champions," "Beat Bobby Flay," and "Guy's Grocery Games." He's also judged "Supermarket Stakeout" and competed on "Chopped Next Gen" and "Cutthroat Kitchen," among others. His competitive spirit has led him to victory in over six different culinary competitions.

While San Diego has been Carlos's culinary playground for years, the call of Central Oregon and the Pacific Northwest proved irresistible. Recognizing Bend's potential to become the next great dining destination, Carlos has made the bold move to relocate his family and fully commit to his role at Hawkeye & Huckleberry Lounge.

Carlos is bringing a fresh perspective to Central Oregon's culinary scene, blending his California coastal experience with high desert terroir. He's excited to apply his deep knowledge of agriculture and farming to this unique environment, creating something truly special for Bend's diners.