Hautter

One half of the husband and wife team who operate San José del Cabo's Casa Natalia and Mi Cocina, Loïc has a passion for cuisine and wine. His zeal for dining is ostensible with just one visit to his restaurant, Mi Cocina.

Fusing his cosmic knowledge of preparation and precise cooking methods with the essence and texture of the region, Loïc crafts innovative Euro-Mexican cuisine that has turned Mi Cocina into a Los Cabos hot spot. Together with his wife Nathalie, Loïc Teneoux's Mi Cocina has achieved icon status, with guests of Casa Natalia boutique hotel, as well as off-site visitors including a who's who of both locals and visitors alike.

To you, what is perfect happiness?
Perfect happiness is when you do what you want without hurting anybody around.

Your greatest fear?
Illness.

Which historical figure do you most identify with?
Jacques Yves Cousteau.

Which living person do you most admire?
My grandmother, she is a survivor, 87 years old, no complaints, and half a bottle of wine everyday.

Greatest extravagance?
Rated R, sorry.

What do you consider to be the most overrated virtue?
Leadership.

What do you dislike most about your appearance?
Nothing. I love getting older.

Your greatest regret?
I have lost many friends and family, many of them passed away without knowing the real me. It won't happen again.

The greatest love of your life?
My wife.

When and where were you most happy?
Last week for the first time I taught my son how to overcome one of his first greatest disappointments. Amazing feeling.

Your current state of mind?
Very, very, very awake of what is going on in my life.

If you could change one thing about your family, what would it be?
Myself when I don't behave like I am expected to. But nobody's perfect.

Your greatest achievement?
Since I was fourteen, I fell at least ten times, and stood up eleven.

If you were to die and come back, who would you choose to be?
A better me.

If you could choose what to come back as, what would it be?
A writer.

Most treasured possession?
My freedom.

What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
Self destruction.

What do you most value in friends?
Honesty.

Favorite hero of fiction?
Cyrano de Bergerac.

Time you normally wake up?
7:00am, I wish I could say 6:00am.

Favorite vegetable?
Asparagus.

How long have you lived in Baja Sur?
Fourteen years.

What do you most dislike?
Kids with no respect for their elders.

How would you like to die?
I'd like to choose the day I'll die.

On what occasion do you lie?
When I come home after dawn and tell my wife that it won't happen again.

Favorite journey?
Sailing trip to Turkey.

Can you cook?
Of course.

Your dream growing up?
Scoring the winning goal in a soccer world cup final.

What talent do you wish you had?
Ability to play the guitar like Paco de Lucia.

When you looked at yourself in the mirror today, what was your first thought?
Older but alive.

Favorite restaurant within fifteen minutes of your house?
Mine, downstairs.

Your favorite place?
Home.

Movie quote you use most in regular conversation?
I hope I only use my own words in a conversation, but [perhaps], “What we do in life echos in eternity.” (Gladiator)

What zodiac sign are you?
Pisces.

Any Tattoos and/or Piercings?
None.

The quality you most like in a man?
When he keeps his word.

Quality you most like in a woman?
Strength.

Your favorite pig out food?
Croque Monsieur.

Obscure song that you know all of the words to?
El Jinete by Jose Alfredo.

Favorite bar to hang at?
It 's not the place, it 's the company. But if I had to choose one in Cabo, it will be Havana [Supper Club]. Charlie you owe me big time!

Favorite thing to do in your spare time?
Anything between surfing, playing the guitar or dinning with friends and family. I like to dance too.

Name the brand of shoes you 're currently wearing?
I like French brands, like JM Weston and Rautureau. I love any kind of good sneakers and sandals too.

Which governs your actions more: brain or heart?
Its brain now, unfortunately.

Words that you say a lot?
In Spanish, “Cabrón.” In French, “Mon amour.” In English, “Nice.”

Favorite quote?
“What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger.”

Last time you were up for 24 hours?
Last week in Paris.

Album that would drive you the least crazy if left on loop for a year?
The complete discography of Serge Gainsbourg.

In one word, how would you describe yourself?
Cameleon.

Favorite beach in all of Baja Sur?
Secret spot between La Playita and Cabo Pulmo.

On a Friday or Saturday night, where are we most likely to find you?
Home, working or everywhere!

What is your motto?
I'd rather be hated for who I am than loved for who I am not.

Questions by Anastasia Grahn.