Team
Leadership

The people behind the fire.

Samuel Portillo Luna
Samuel Portillo Luna
President

Samuel grew up in Típicos Margoth, the restaurant his mother founded in El Salvador. He was MADRE's founding investor and helped set the company up; today he serves as president and runs our yuca farm in El Salvador.

Debby Portillo
Debby Portillo
CEO & General Manager

Co-founder of 2fifty and the third woman in her family to own and run restaurants. Debby leads finance, people, purchasing, compliance and growth across our concepts.

  • 2026 RAMMY finalist, Manager of the Year
  • James Beard Foundation Women's Entrepreneurial Leadership fellow, 2025
Fernando González
Fernando González
Chef & Pitmaster

Co-founder and pitmaster of 2fifty. Born in El Salvador and trained as a civil engineer, he learned barbecue in Texas, then under Aaron Franklin and Francis Mallmann. He cooks with wood only.

  • 2026 RAMMY Restaurateur of the Year
  • James Beard Award nominee
  • 2025 RAMMY finalist, Rising Culinary Star
  • James Beard Chef Bootcamp, 2026
Samuel Portillo
Samuel Portillo
Strategy & Marketing Director

Founder of EL FIN, the design studio behind 2fifty's brand, website and newsletter. Trained in strategic design, Sam runs brand, marketing and digital across our concepts.

Work with us.
We hire pitmasters, cooks and front-of-house teams for our restaurants in Maryland and Washington, DC.
Apply now