Chefs & Cooks

Fina Espinosa

Born at the core of a traditional family in the mid XX century in Quito, Ecuador, Josefina Espinosa de Moreno learned the secrets of the culinary arts through excellent traditional cooks who taught her the best techniques for preparing tasteful dishes resulting from the fusion of two cultures: the European and the Indigenous from Latin America.

In her worldwide travels and as a professional artist, Josefina discovered different cultures through painting and music, but she found in food the best means to expresses the essence of a country and its people. In her cooking, she is constantly seeking to combine the art with the senses, colours, flavours, aromas and textures, to produce dishes that are true works of art making them not only delicious, but also visually appealing as if they were painted on canvas.

The mountains, the landscapes, the grandeur of the Andes, the different regions and microclimates of her country are inspiring factors that have contributing to her food style. Josefina is passionate about the endless varieties of Ecuadorian soups, which are never missed in her menus. She offers them as an important element of the entire culinary experience, always surprising her and surprising others.

Lolita Dueñas

“His house is wide open, whoever wishes to enter, there will be a plate of food on the table…” (JM Serrat; Tio Alberto)

Lolita remembers being closely linked to cooking since a very early age when she played with her very own pots and pans she made with clay. She comes from a large family of 7 siblings and as part of a numerous family, every child had his or her particular activity in the kitchen.

From her grandfather, she inherited the knowledge of making artisanal wine. From her parents she obtained a discerning palate making her a real sybarite and conversant bon-vivant. She learned the art of preparing the table and entertaining for large groups, something that she still loves to do now.

Lolita believes the stove in the kitchen is a crucial feature of any household as one’s home is built around it. At the table, the family gathers not only to eat, but to share and enjoy. Food is her favourite language to express and communicate and to be present in people’s lives. This is the reason why Lolita sees the culinary art as something that reaches her emotions. From going to the market, to preparing beautiful dishes, she enjoys every step of this experience especially when it’s shared with others.