The food community in San Antonio, Texas is grieving the loss of Axel Oliva, a rising chef and co-founder of Leche de Tigre Cebicheria Peruana, who has died at the age of 31.
His passing was announced by the restaurant in a brief statement shared online, describing the loss as “tragic” and asking for privacy for the family. No cause of death has been publicly confirmed. An obituary shared by Porter Loring Mortuary states that Oliva died on Sunday.
Oliva launched the Southtown restaurant in 2023 with his brothers, building a concept rooted in their multicultural upbringing. Born in Texas and raised partly in Peru, the brothers infused traditional Peruvian cuisine with personal history, quickly earning recognition for their ceviche and bold flavors.
Friends, customers, and fellow chefs have shared tributes, highlighting Oliva’s creativity and warmth. “He had a vision that connected people through food,” one local chef said.
A public memorial is scheduled for April 2, while the restaurant remains temporarily closed.
Oliva’s death represents a profound loss for San Antonio’s evolving dining scene, where young chefs are increasingly shaping the city’s cultural and culinary identity.
