Manuel Palacio
Founder of Cento, and Co-Founder of Cracks Group
A hospitality entrepreneur with more than two decades of international experience, Manuel Palacio has built a career defined by vision, scale, and an unwavering commitment to people and purpose in hospitality.
Born in Madrid, Manuel began his journey in Europe before moving through New York and London, working across leading restaurants and refining his understanding of how culture, product, and emotion converge to create lasting guest experiences. His path led him to Hong Kong, where he co-founded Pirata Group, one of the city's most influential restaurant collectives.
As Co-founder and CEO, Manuel guided Pirata Group from a single venue into a powerhouse of more than 30 restaurants, creating some of Hong Kong's most recognized brands—including Pici, Pirata, The Optimist, and TokyoLima. His leadership combined sharp operational insight with a people-first culture, setting new standards for scalable hospitality built on authenticity and trust.
Now based full-time in Bangkok, Manuel continues to evolve his craft through a new generation of ventures. In February 2024, he opened Cento, an Italian restaurant celebrated for its soulful cooking, wine-driven philosophy, and elevated yet approachable dining experience.
In December 2025, Manuel is co-founding Quilombo alongside Christopher Mark, former Co-founder and Culinary Director of Black Sheep Restaurants in Hong Kong. Together, they are launching this bold new Argentine steakhouse concept that celebrates the fire, rhythm, and generosity of Argentina's culinary spirit through a refined, contemporary lens rooted in authenticity. Set within Bangkok's only castle—a 400+ square meter venue with authentic antique stones in Thong Lo—Quilombo captures the decadent glamour of Buenos Aires' golden era, offering guests a truly transportive dining experience built on traditional parrilla grilling, premium dry-aged beef, and an Argentine-led wine program featuring 150 carefully selected labels.
Manuel is also the Co-founder of Cracks, a hospitality-driven SaaS company developed with one of his former Pirata alumni. Cracks builds tools and systems to empower restaurant teams globally—bridging real-world hospitality expertise with smart, intuitive technology.
Across every project, Manuel's work reflects a clear philosophy: that great hospitality is built on clarity of purpose, genuine human connection, and disciplined execution. His journey continues to inspire a new wave of operators shaping the future of dining in Asia and beyond.
