Bringing It Home

I come from Cali, Colombia, and my love for cooking developed from the strong bond I shared with my parents, especially my father. He used to travel the world and bring back unique products and foods, which sparked my interest in learning to cook from a young age. Little by little, I developed a passion for exploring different cuisines and cultures through travel. When I was 11, my father arranged for me to spend part of my vacations at a friend’s hotel called Hotel Estrella in Palmira, where I worked in the kitchen and learned the art of cooking.

After graduating from high school at 15, which is relatively young for graduates in Colombia, I pursued my desire to leave the country by going to Buenos Aires to study cooking. Learning from the best at a young age and being far away from my family and friends helped me grow professionally. Despite feeling overwhelmed and lonely at times, I am grateful to the people in Buenos Aires for welcoming me and thankful to my mentor, Pedro Barreto. My love for travel led me to work at @rest_quintonil in Mexico, then @leorestaurantcol in Bogotá, and @ik_restaurante in Peru, amongst other places. These experiences fueled my creativity and passion for continual learning and innovation.

After spending a few years abroad, I decided to return to Colombia to reconnect with my roots. While working in research at the International Center for Tropical Agriculture, I also pursued studies in Nutrition and graduated at the beginning of 2024. Currently, I work as the head chef at @domingorestauranteco in the city of Cali and also as a teacher at Javeriana.

My greatest wish is for Cali to reclaim its status as a gastronomic capital and to be once again recognized as one of the premier culinary destinations. With its rich biodiversity, Colombia is home to diverse marine and land ecosystems, but industrialization has significantly impacted our traditional diet and culinary practices. More importantly, I believe that Cali, with its abundant potential and rich cultural heritage, deserves the recognition it merits.