Pedro Mederos
Pedro Mederos (31) was born in Cuba and raised in Miami. He found his way to cooking as a teenager, and eventually he worked his way through various restaurants in Miami, learning his way around the kitchen and working his way up; ultimately traveling to California where he further refined his skill set at the Culinary Institute of America in St. Helena.
While living in Napa Valley, he had the opportunity to work at restaurants that emphasized seasonally driven cuisine such as Goose & Gander and the three Michelin-starred Single Thread. Here, he met Katherine, who would become his partner in the restaurant business as well as his wife.
In late 2019, Pedro returned to Miami, where he worked at the acclaimed Wynwood restaurant, Alter. Katherine soon followed Pedro to Miami in early 2020 when COVID-19 struck. When Alter closed, the couple responded by creating a dumpling pop-up in South Miami, which migrated to a small 8-seat Chef’s Tasting experience in Little River, where the initial version of Kojin was created. With positive reviews, including inclusion in the Michelin Guide as a recommended destination, they began to dream of a place where they could fully pursue their passions on a larger scale.
In July 2024, Kojin opened in Coral Gables, an immediate success with media and diners alike for its intimate setting, warm hospitality, and innovative, delicious cuisine.
Mederos’ respect for Japanese technique and flavors, combined with a commitment to seasonal ingredients has launched Kojin as one of the hottest new restaurants of 2024.
