BAYFIELD, WISCONSIN · LAKE SUPERIOR · ESTABLISHED 2025
A taste of Peru at the edge of the world
Peruvian ancestral cuisine meets the spirit of Lake Superior. Every dish, a story. Every experience, a journey.
What Does Yaku Superior Mean?
OUR STORY…
"Yaku" comes from Quechua, the ancestral language of the Inca civilization, and means "water." In the Andean world, water was far more than a resource, it was sacred, a source of life, movement, connection, and balance between nature and humanity.
"Superior" is inspired by the majestic shores of Lake Superior, whose powerful presence, natural beauty, and spirit deeply shaped our journey in northern Wisconsin.
Together, Yaku Superior symbolizes the meeting of two worlds: the ancient waters of the Andes and the northern waters of Lake Superior, a fusion of cultures, ingredients, memories, and experiences coming together to create something meaningful and unforgettable.
YAKUS’S PHILOSOPHY
"Honoring tradition, embracing diversity, respecting the land, and using food as a bridge where cultures, ingredients, people, and experiences come together to create something meaningful and unforgettable."
Carlos Keil Montoya
CHEF & SOMMELIER
LIMA, PERÚ · BAYFIELD, WISCONSIN
Carlos Keil's culinary journey began in Lima, Peru, where he attended the prestigious Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola and built a strong foundation in the techniques and traditions of Peruvian cuisine. His passion for gastronomy later led him abroad, where he refined his craft while working at a one-star Michelin restaurant in Palo Alto, California, gaining firsthand experience in the precision, discipline, and creativity of fine dining.
At the same time, Carlos deepened his knowledge of wine in San Francisco under the guidance of David Glancy, developing the expertise that would later shape his approach as both a chef and sommelier.
In 2022, Carlos arrived in Bayfield, Wisconsin, to fulfill a promise he had made to his mother: to bring his culinary vision to life on the shores of Lake Superior. Drawing on experiences gathered across multiple countries, cultures, and cuisines, he founded Yaku Superior as an expression of his lifelong belief that food is a bridge between people, places, and stories.
Published poet. International Taekwondo champion and Olympic-level competitor. Sommelier. Chef. A life shaped by discipline, artistry, travel, and flavor now shared through every experience at Yaku Superior.
The Culinary Logbook
The Morning
Logbook
7:00 AM – 10:00 AM WALKS IN WELCOME
Morning flavors inspired by the streets of Peru, family tables, and the spirit of the southern shore of Lake Superior.
SUNRISE · COMFORT · TRADITION
SIGNATURE ANDEAN EMPANADAS
Beef Empanada · Ribeye Empanada · Chicken Empanada · Veggie Empanada · Ham & Cheese Empanada · Apple Pork Empanada · Blueberry Empanada
PERUVIAN CLASSICS
Sándwich de Jamón del País / Country Ham Sandwich · Peruvian Pork Belly Sandwich
MORNING BEVERAGES
Peruvian Emoliente “soothing fresh herbal infusion” · Chicha Morada (Peruvian Purple Corn Drink) · Peruvian Coffee
The Culinary Logbook
5:00 PM – 8:00 PM BY APPOINTMENT ONLY
Each dish is an entry in our culinary logbook: a guided journey through culture, memory, migration, and discovery from the Andes to the shores of Lake Superior.
COMPASS · VOYAGE · MEMORY
ENTRÉES
Papa a la Huancaína / Potatoes Huancaína Style · Causa Rellena / Lima-Style Potato Casserole · Salmon Tiradito / Sliced Salmon in Citrus Sauce · Peruvian Ceviche
MAIN DISHES
Lomo Saltado / Jumping Beef · Escabeche de Pescado / Pickled Fish · Pollada / Chicken Feast · Peruvian Paella
SIGNATURE DISHES
Morel & Serrano Ham Risotto · Robe’s Ossobuco with Mashed Potatoes
DESSERT
Our popular signature Blueberry Flan
DRINKS
Wine & Beer (International and Local Sommelier selection)
NON ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
Chicha Morada “Peruvian purple corn drink” · Peruvian Emoliente
GALLERY
From the very first cut to the very last detail, every dish at Yaku Superior is a work of craft, culture, and memory. Welcome to our world.
Private Experiences
EVENTS & EXPERIENCES
Yaku Superior offers curated private dining and culinary experiences led by Chef & Sommelier Carlos Keil Montoya, blending Peruvian heritage, international cuisine, and refined hospitality.
Each event combines elevated cuisine, curated wine pairings, and cultural storytelling to create sophisticated and unforgettable experiences.
Elevate your next event with a chef-led culinary journey inspired by Peru and the world. Contact us to discuss customized menus, wine pairings, and exclusive private dining experiences.
Each event combines elevated cuisine, curated wine pairings, and cultural storytelling to create sophisticated and unforgettable experiences.
Private Culinary Experiences
Reserve Your
Experience
RESERVATIONS
The Morning Logbook
7:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Breakfast Experience
Walks in Welcome
WEDNESDAY - SATURDAY
The Culinary Logbook
5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
WEDNESDAY - SATURDAY
By appointment only
An intimate culinary experience offered exclusively by appointment to provide a more personalized, thoughtful, and elevated dining atmosphere for every guest.
Dinner Experience
📍CORE Community Center
257 Manypenny Ave. Bayfield, WI
Bayfield, Wisconsin · South Shore of Lake Superior