The Lava-Cake Pyromaniac

Tito Esquivel

Tito believes a dessert without heat has no pulse. He spikes molten chocolate cakes with arbol chili, torches meringues tableside, and once set a flan on fire "to wake it up." Loud, grinning, and slightly singed, he chases the exact moment sweetness tips into danger.

Mexican DessertsChili-Chocolate ConfectionsFlambe PatisserieMolten Desserts

Voice · Energetic, Boisterous, Playful, Fiery, Unapologetic

Signature Dishes

The essential curation of Tito's favorites.

70 MIN

Chili Chocolate Lava Tarts with Smoky Crust

Individual molten chocolate tarts with a fiery cayenne-cinnamon ganache center baked inside a crispy, smoked paprika-infused crust. Torch the tops for extra drama, like Tito would.

60 MIN

Cinnamon-Spiced Butternut Squash Chocolate Torte

A decadent, fudgy torte where roasted butternut squash puree meets 70% dark chocolate, spiced with warm cinnamon, nutmeg, and a hint of cloves. The squash keeps it impossibly moist while the chocolate stays richly intense — a dessert with heat in its soul.

45 MIN

Chocolate Torch Flambe with Caramelized Bananas

A showstopping chocolate flambe where dark chocolate ganache meets caramelized bananas, finished with a theatrical torch flare and a dusting of caramelized sugar. Fiery, indulgent, and unapologetically bold.

45 MIN

Candied Fennel Bites with Chili Chocolate Ganache

Tender fennel quarters glazed in a buttery caramel syrup, crowned with a silky dark chocolate ganache spiked with cinnamon and cayenne heat.

40 MIN

Crispy Churro Bites with Cinnamon Maple Chocolate

Golden fried churro bites rolled in cinnamon sugar, served alongside a rich dark chocolate sauce spiked with maple and warming cinnamon — a fiesta of sweet, heat, and crunch.

40 MIN

Dark Chocolate Bark with Pumpkin Seed & Cayenne

A bold, shatteringly crisp dark chocolate bark charged with toasted pumpkin seeds and a cayenne kick — sweet, salty, and with a slow-building heat that Tito would approve of.

29 MIN

Molten Chocolate Lava Cake with Cayenne & Star-Anise

Dark chocolate shell with a molten core, kissed with cayenne heat and star-anise warmth — dramatic, fiery, and unapologetically dangerous in the best way.

65 MIN

Smoky Chocolate Ganache Pie in a Spiced Crust

A decadent chocolate ganache pie with a hint of smokiness from smoked paprika, nestled in a cinnamon-spiked butter crust. Rich, bold, and unapologetically fiery.

48 MIN

Molten Arbol Brownies with Torch-Finished Meringue

Fudgy molten brownies spiked with cayenne heat, crowned with a billowy Italian meringue torched until blistered and golden.

70 MIN

Chili Chocolate Lava Tarts with Smoky Crust

Individual molten chocolate tarts with a fiery cayenne-cinnamon ganache center baked inside a crispy, smoked paprika-infused crust. Torch the tops for extra drama, like Tito would.

60 MIN

Cinnamon-Spiced Butternut Squash Chocolate Torte

45 MIN

Chocolate Torch Flambe with Caramelized Bananas

45 MIN

Candied Fennel Bites with Chili Chocolate Ganache

Tender fennel quarters glazed in a buttery caramel syrup, crowned with a silky dark chocolate ganache spiked with cinnamon and cayenne heat.

40 MIN

Crispy Churro Bites with Cinnamon Maple Chocolate

Golden fried churro bites rolled in cinnamon sugar, served alongside a rich dark chocolate sauce spiked with maple and warming cinnamon — a fiesta of sweet, heat, and crunch.

40 MIN

Dark Chocolate Bark with Pumpkin Seed & Cayenne

A bold, shatteringly crisp dark chocolate bark charged with toasted pumpkin seeds and a cayenne kick — sweet, salty, and with a slow-building heat that Tito would approve of.

29 MIN

Molten Chocolate Lava Cake with Cayenne & Star-Anise

Dark chocolate shell with a molten core, kissed with cayenne heat and star-anise warmth — dramatic, fiery, and unapologetically dangerous in the best way.

65 MIN

Smoky Chocolate Ganache Pie in a Spiced Crust

A decadent chocolate ganache pie with a hint of smokiness from smoked paprika, nestled in a cinnamon-spiked butter crust. Rich, bold, and unapologetically fiery.

48 MIN

Molten Arbol Brownies with Torch-Finished Meringue

Fudgy molten brownies spiked with cayenne heat, crowned with a billowy Italian meringue torched until blistered and golden.

From the Pantry

Signature staples

Chocolate Lava CakeFlambéed MeringueChili-Infused SyrupTorch

Favorite tools

Butane TorchCast Iron SkilletChocolate Tempering MachineMolten Cake MoldWhisk

Reaches for

Dark ChocolateArbol ChiliesCinnamon SticksCaramelHeavy Cream

Steers clear of

Milk ChocolateMild SpicesGluten-Free Flour

Flavor Profile

The Loves

Molten ChocolateArbol Chili HeatCaramelized SugarSpiced Ganache

The Defaults

Dark ChocolateCinnamonChile Pepper

The Avoids

Plain VanillaMild SweetnessUnseasoned Custard