About Us:

Alquimia Sagrada is a family-run food project in Rosarito—born from a lifetime of love for real food, ancestral wisdom, and community. Fire-cooked meals, cacao, sourdough, and an apothecary of earth-made goods—rooted in tradition and connection.

We’re Annel, Drew, and our daughter Sasha — An off-grid homesteading family in the hills of Rosarito. Food has been at the heart of our lives for as long as we can remember. Annel grew up surrounded by kitchens—her family owned restaurants, and she learned early from her grandmother’s kitchen how flavor, intuition, and love come together in food. Over the years, she worked across many areas of the food and hospitality world, carrying forward the lessons and heart of real cooking—the kind that can’t be taught from a book.

Drew started working in kitchens as a teenager and went on to attend the Culinary Institute of America (CIA). After years of experience in restaurants and catering, in 2008 he and Annel opened Annel & Drew’s Kitchen (A.D. Kitchen) in North County San Diego—a farm-to-table concept that became known for featuring local farms and seasonal ingredients before the recent trend. It grew a loyal following—some would even call it a bit of a cult following—and was featured in newspapers, magazines, TV, and radio. We also catered high-end events for Fortune 500 companies, helping set the foundation for everything we do today.

When we moved to Baja in 2017, we carried that same philosophy south of the border. By 2018–2019, we were preparing organic weekly farm-to-table meals for our local community, deepening our relationships with the farmers, ranchers, and artisans of the region. Over time, that vision evolved into what is now Alquimia Sagrada—a sacred food project dedicated to honoring the land, the fire, and the people we serve.

Our daughter Sasha has been part of this journey from the very beginning—tasting, helping, and creating alongside us since she could walk. For us, this is more than a kitchen. It’s a way of life, rooted in family, love, and the belief that food is medicine.

Our Philosophy:

We believe in using the best of the best—organic when possible, always local and seasonal—and doing everything with intention. Food is meant to nourish body, mind, and spirit. We see every meal as a bridge: connecting the farmer, the cook, and the community around the table.

The Fire & The Apothecary:

Our wood fire is the heart of our space, where slow food meets the sacred. Alongside our menu, we craft small-batch apothecary goods—herbal blends, syrups, tinctures, and elixirs—celebrating the natural medicines of the land.