Maximino Santiago, a wood carver in La Union, Oaxaca made this taco cook in a big chef’s hat ornament for Modela. And even more fun, the chef is a tiger!

The detail is incredible for wood carving—you can see the taco filling in the spoon.

A tiny silver eye screw is embedded into the top so all you need is a traditional metal hook to attach to a Christmas tree branch. Also, the tiger chef is free standing to display all year round.

Maximino is an excellent carver that we visit twice a year. His family members paint the animals. He farms when he’s not carving so it’s also interesting to see what he is growing when you visit. La Union is a rural town about 45-60 minutes from Oaxaca depending on road conditions. The Santiago family is a large extended family of wood carvers that live there.

Purchased directly from Maximino this March.  

Size: 3” tall