Member Spotlight: El Piloto

From uninspiring corporate jobs to the buzzing energy of festival crowds, the founder of El Piloto transformed a passion for cooking into a thriving taco business. What began as a need to “feel alive” has grown into food trucks, festival circuits, and bricks-and-mortar locations across Manchester and Congleton.

In this spotlight, we speak to El Piloto founder Lukas Tilzey to explore the journey from stability to following passion, the challenges of rising food costs, and why their signature Baja Fish Taco has remained unchanged since day one.

How did you get into hospitality and what inspired you to go down the business route?

I’ve always loved to cook and host, and some of my happiest memories are in the kitchen, creating food for family and friends. After years of working in stable but uninspiring jobs, I decided life’s too short to just exist — I needed to do something that truly made me feel alive. El Piloto grew from that spark inside me and gave me the buzz that was missing from my life at the time. I’ve never looked back. Find something you enjoy and you’ll never work a day in your life.

What dish does everyone have to try on your menu?

Our Baja Fish Taco — it’s the heart of El Piloto and has been a staple dish on the menu from the very beginning.

What’s the best thing about your job?

Doing what I love every single day — without that dreaded Monday morning feeling. I get to express my creativity exactly how I want, and that freedom is the best part of it all.

Favourite events to trade at?

Festivals — it’s a real buzz. There’s a special energy at those events, a mix of community, good vibes, live music and people ready to try new things.

Something you would change about the sector?

Increasing food costs — it’s one of the biggest challenges for independents and something we’re all constantly having to adapt to.

Most important lesson you’ve learned running this business?

Take risks. Change is powerful — scary at times, but always worth embracing. Leaving stability to follow passion wasn’t easy, but every step has taught me something new, and it’s always been worth it.

Tell us about a highlight from your time trading so far?

Our launch event back in 2022 was unforgettable — the room was packed, the energy was electric, and the feedback was incredible. That night confirmed that this was the right path for me. Since then, another highlight has been opening our first brick-and-mortar locations at Congleton Market Quarter and Society in Manchester City Centre, alongside our food truck and festival appearances.

Sweet or savoury?

Savoury every time — tacos all the way.

If you weren’t serving tacos, what cuisine would you be offering?

Lebanese cuisine — I think it’s massively underrated. The food is amazing and has such depth of flavour, fresh and vibrant, and I’d love to showcase that.

Your ultimate food guilty pleasure?

One of the best places I’ve ever eaten is a little spot called Berbena in Barcelona. Their food is my guilty pleasure — I could honestly eat it every day.

If you could take one person – living or dead – out for a beer and taco, who would it be and why?

Anthony Bourdain — just because the guy’s a legend. His outlook on food, culture, and life has always been an inspiration, and I’d love the chance to share stories with him over a taco and a drink.

What song best sums up the ambience of El Piloto?

Loaded by Primal Scream. It’s been there since the very beginning and always takes me back to the energy and buzz of our launch — that same feeling we want people to have when they eat with us.