THE COMPANY | HISTORY
With roots in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, Aguacate Vieques has been operating on island since 2008. Proprietors Alex Mazzocca and Glen Martin met at the nationally lauded Provincetown hot spot, The Martin House. Inspired by the charm and authenticity of the 18th century building, The Martin House came to life in 1991. In the 16 years the restaurant was open, it and Chef Alex received kudos from The James Beard Foundation, The New York Times, Conde Nast Traveler, Cape Cod Life Magazine. The pair started visiting Vieques in the mid 1990s, when the cape was closed for the winter season.
Martin House by Dan Rupe
In 10 years, they never missed a yearly visit. After retiring The Martin House and relocating to Vieques full time, their zeal to feed people in a creative fashion lingered on. Glen and Alex identified a need for professional catering services on the island. In 2008, when Aguacate Catering was established, the business took off and set the bar for quality in the island’s catering market. In 2018 Carla Picayo and her gorgeous cakes were added to the mix, to shape Aguacate Vieques | Catering + Events. Our team provides accessible elegance to discerning clients that adore Vieques, Puerto Rico as much as we do.
Checkout this blast from the past
ABOUT US | THE TEAM
GLEN MARTIN |
DIRECTOR
Photo: Jennifer Teeter
Originally from Massachusetts, Glen spent his formative years in southern California. In his youth he traveled extensively through Africa and South America before earning a Master's Degree in Anthropology from Columbia University. He found this endeavor left him certifiably unemployable. His only logical solution was to go into the restaurant business, where he set out to make healthy, locally sourced food and genuinely interesting vegetarian offerings. Never straying too far from the coast, Glen’s emphasis on fresh seafood was always at the forefront of his culinary endeavors.
Through the success of The Martin House, he met and established relationships with people who were to become life-long friends. Several of these folks have taken a page from Glen’s book and moved to Vieques, a place that, not unlike Provincetown, feels a world away from the rest of the country.
ALEX MAZZOCCA |
CHEF
Chef Alex was raised in upstate New York in an Italian-American household, where food was more than fuel and every meal was a family affair. Cooking was a serious tradition that was passed on through recipes from the old country to newest generation. He began working in restaurants at age 19 while he studied fine arts at Hunter College. Soon realizing his true passion was the art of food, he completed his culinary education at The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY.
Greatly inspired by Jean-Georges Vongerichten, a renowned chef who was among the first to create unusual and “New American” cuisine in the United States, Alex honed his flair for innovative interpretations of classic French cuisine. Chef Alex enjoys growing his herb and vegetable garden, using fresh and local ingredients to create his explosively flavorful food.
Photo: Jennifer Teeter
CARLA PICAYO |
CAKES
Originally from Babylon, New York, Carla was greatly inspired by the cooking traditions of her Argentinian family. After graduating from New York Cooking School, she owned and served as head chef at the popular upper west side 79th Street Boat Basin Cafe. During her tenure as a successful caterer and restaurateur, Carla and her family owned and operated a rescue farm tending to the needs of wayward pasture animals.
After spending a decade in St Thomas, U.S.V.I., Carla became adept at baking in a tropical climate. She began visiting Vieques Island in 2012 while on her honeymoon. Carla decided that being a part time resident was not enough and moved to Vieques full time in 2016. She delights in designing decadent cupcakes but her true passion is multi-tiered cakes for weddings and special events. Her confections can be sampled locally at Rising Roost Market & Cafe in Isabel Segunda.
Photo: Jennifer Teeter
aguacate: noun language: Spanish
agua·ca·te | \ ˌä-gwə-ˈkä-tē \
English Translation: AVOCADO
PRESS | RECOGNITION
in vieques or
making a visit soon?
A CATERED AFFAIR |
THURSDAY NIGHT
DINNER SERIES
a six-course dinner party in a modern villa with sweeping ocean views
$65/person | byob or cash bar | hosted at villa venti | like our for weekly menu
COMMON INQUIRIES | FAQ
Why choose Aguacate Vieques?
With over 30 years combined experience, in restaurants, catering, weddings, festivals, and events, we really have have thought of everything. We love what we do and we're good at it. From the top line to fine details, we are enthusiastic about good food and great events.
Why get married in Vieques?
It's easy- No passport required for US citizens
How does pricing for my event work? When is my deposit due?
We will send you a preliminary questionnaire and schedule a call with you to review the details. Once we have all the details, we will send you a quote. A 50% deposit is due upon confirming the agreement and to secure the date for your event.
I need a DJ and other vendors, can you help with that?
Our Wedding & Events Coordinator can work to secure any type of vendor needed for your event. From a solo singer/gutiar player to a full band or DJ, we can secure music, entertainment, children's activities, lawn games and more. Let's get creative.
My event ends at 10pm, but we want to go a little longer...
We would never cramp your style. While our services include a firm start and end time, we're flexible. In the last hour of your event, we will check in with you. If you're group is still having a great time, we are happy to keep the party rolling and bill you at half hour increments. Don't worry, we have thought of everything.
When do you need my final guest count?
We need your final guest count 21 days prior to the dinner, wedding, event or party. Due to the unique nature of operating on the tiny island of Vieques, we require the lead time to make sure everything goes off without a hitch.
Are we there yet?
We were just thinking the same thing. The easiest way to get to Vieques is by plane. There are three airports on the main island of Puerto Rico. San Juan International (SJU), Isla Grande Airport (SIG), or Ceiba Airport (RVR).
Choosing Aguacate for our wedding and pre-wedding event was one of the best decisions made for our special day. We couldn't have been more pleased.
Maria+ Joe | Tropical Guest House