Omar Lorenzana
Omar Lorenzana
Executive Chef, Timpano Las Olas
Omar Lorenzana, Executive Chef at Timpano Las Olas, has more than 18 years of experience with high-end establishments in New York, NY. His journey reflects progressive experience from when he would cook and eat traditional meals with his grandmother in Puerto Rico to working at top 5-star and 4-star hotels where he learned French-Japanese Fusion and classical French culinary skills. His approach to cooking can be described as artistic and elegant, yet comforting with a harmonious blend of flavors, cultures, and influences in cuisines.
Lorenzana studied at the New York Restaurant School, earning his Culinary Degree in 2000. From there he worked his way up the ranks at The Ritz-Carlton, Battery Park; Asiete at The Mandarin Oriental, where he worked under the mentorship of internationally famed chef, Noriyuki Sugie; The Muse Hotel; The Millennium Broadway; and the Crown Plaza in Times Square. Lorenzana’s culinary adventure and curiosity for blending unique tastes inspired him to open his own restaurant, Theresa’s Place, in the heart of Brooklyn in 2013. Like many chefs in his position, Lorenzana reveled in owning a space where he could create dishes that reflected his eclectic cooking style. Here, he was inspired by the culture and pulsating vibes of the borough and wanted to express that on a plate that would comfort the soul. The experience taught Lorenzana to believe in himself and his instincts in the kitchen—valuable lessons for a chef whose star was just beginning to rise.
In 2015, Lorenzana had an opportunity to work as Sous Chef alongside Todd English at Cava. He later held the position as Executive Chef at Masterpiece Caterers where he oversaw operations of $7.5 million. The move felt like a homecoming to Lorenzana, who had previously worked as a banquet chef early in his career, and allowed him to hone his skills in preparing large-scale dining experiences for high-venue events like weddings and galas.
In March 2019 Lorenzana decided to move out of the catering world and accepted an Executive Sous Chef position at Nomo SoHo Kitchen Highgate Hotel in NY, a boutique hotel known for its vintage and contemporary art, along with its eclectic mix that fuses the global and creative influences of SoHo, where he eagerly worked his way to the role of Executive Chef by December 2019. Not only did Lorenzana prepare Nuevo American dishes with his own personal flair making it one of New York’s hidden gems and top-choice restaurants in SoHo, but he oversaw a $7.5 million F&B budget and proved to be a formidable and resilient leader who can navigate tough economic landscapes. The historic 2020 Coronavirus Pandemic brought NYC to a standstill. Lorenzana led his team through the toughest comeback in the hotel’s history; in less than two months, he nearly tripled revenues, and after four months, he surpassed far-reaching expectations, taking the restaurant from a dismal $18K in May to over $193K in September with only outside dining available.
Since relocating to South Florida in 2021 with his wife, a registered nurse, Omar Lorenzana has been leading Timpano Las Olas, an iconic Italian restaurant on Las Olas Boulevard. Known for its blend of classic Italian flavors and contemporary flair, Timpano has become a standout destination in Fort Lauderdale’s thriving dining scene. Under Omar’s leadership, the restaurant delivers an elevated yet approachable experience, combining artistic dishes, exceptional service, and a vibrant atmosphere. For Lorenzana, the role is a dream come true, allowing him to do what he loves most: delighting diners with creative, flavorful dishes every day.
