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Chef Juan Esteban Torregrosa 

I was born and raised in Medellin in a family environment. Every weekend we used to escape from the city to spent as much time as possible on my family's farm, surrounded by nature. The “Finca” was always my favorite place, there I learned to value and respect the farmers and their wok. From an early age, I was curious about cooking. My mother and my grandmother used to cook very often at home and I always wanted to help them, that’s how I begin to take interest in the kitchen. Since then this passion only grew.

 

After studying chemistry for 2 years, I realized how much I loved cooking and decided I wanted to do it full time, leading me to leave my country and start my professional journey by studying Culinary Arts at the best place in South America Le Cordon Bleu in Lima, Perú. The city was in full gastronomic boom and I got the chance to work in the renowned kitchen of Astrid & Gaston from Gaston Acurio, #1 restaurant in Latinoamerica’s and #14 in the World’s 50 Best during 2013. This unique experience opened the door for many personal and professional opportunities. 

 

I have been in UAE since 2016. Worked in Spanish restaurant “Laluz” and became Sous Chef at Peruvian restaurant “Waka”. After which I grew to be the Head chef at “Maxzi the good food shop”, a cafe and retail company from "Indoguna" that mixed both my love for food and specialty coffee; a different but very enriching experience.

 

My last adventure was as Head Chef in 3bk restaurant at the Burj Khalifa, a fine dining restaurant that let me develop my creativity and remind me of the discipline and pressure of a kitchen with a lot of details. Now I’m the Executive chef at 53 Restaurant & Lounge where I created a menu that blends French cooking tecniques with prime quality Asian ingredients.