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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 spend as much time as possible on my family's farm, surrounded by nature. The "Finca" was always my favorite place; I learned to value and respect the farmers and their work there. From an early age, I was curious about cooking. My mother and grandmother used to cook very often at home, and I always wanted to help them; that's how I began to take an interest in the kitchen. Since then, this passion only grew.

 

After studying chemistry for two years, I realized how much I loved cooking. I 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 a full gastronomic boom, and I got the chance to work in the renowned kitchen of Astrid & Gaston from Gaston Acurio, the #1 restaurant in Latinoamerica's and #14 in the World's 50 Best in 2013. This unique experience opened the door for many personal and professional opportunities. 

 

I have been in UAE since 2016. Worked in the Spanish restaurant "Laluz" and became Sous Chef at the 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 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. This fine dining restaurant let me develop my creativity and reminded me of the discipline and pressure of a kitchen with many details. Now I'm the Executive chef at 53 Restaurant & Lounge, where I created a menu that blends French cooking techniques with prime quality Asian ingredients.