Chef Juanma of Elcielo Restaurant has received one Michelin star for a consecutive year for his Miami location. The restaurant opened its doors in the heart of downtown Miami in 2015, and ever since has been an experience like no other.
Elcielo offers modern signature cuisine crafted by Chef Juan Manuel Barrientos, also known as "Juanma." Chef Juanma creates his dishes with inspiration stemming from his Colombian roots, using futuristic and innovative cooking techniques and a hint of neuroscience to surprise guests. The restaurant is made up of 100% Colombian talent and has earned a Michelin star for recognition of its excellence and quality.
The experience at Elcielo is sure to create a long-lasting memory. "Colombia is a fun country. We take our problems with humor and celebrate everything with a party. Coming to Elcielo and having the experience is, above all, fun and memorable," says Chef Juanma. He continues, "I am proud to be the owner of Elcielo, the first Colombian restaurant to appear in the Michelin Guide worldwide."
Elcielo's tasting menu, The Experience, serves more than twenty-two magical moments alongside panoramic river views of Miami and a glamorous interior accented with greenery, leather, and wood. VIP lounges are also available for diners who would prefer a private experience.
One should expect a fantastic time at Elcielo. There are so many amazing experiences to be had that are seriously like no other restaurant. For example, the Chocola-therapy, where you wash your hands with chocolate and enjoy it through all five senses, or the signature dish like The Tree of Life, a Yucca bread that is served fresh over a wire bonsai tree to represent the lung of the world, the Amazon rainforest.
Chef Juanma wants people to know his story. He wants to teach them what he knows about his Colombian roots. He also wants people to be aware of the social work efforts that the Elcielo Foundation has been doing for 15 years. "We help victims of the war in Colombia, teaching them cooking as a tool to build peace and a dignified trade to offer to ex-combatants when they laid down their weapons and returned to civilian life," Juanma explains.
He recalls his social work experience with the Elcielo Foundation as being the most interesting thing that has happened to him since working in the food industry.
"These are 15 years of social work with our foundation where we have managed to cook together in peace, ex-combatants and enemies together in our kitchens. I have been able to tell that story at the world entrepreneurship forum at Stanford, invited by former President Obama, at Harvard University, and at the summits of the Nobel Peace Prize winners. It was unforgettable when I won the first star in Washington DC, when I won the first one in Miami, when we cooked at the Michelin Guide award gala at the French embassy in DC, when I received the black jacket from Gaggenau, Michelin's main sponsor, as a member of the black jacket society. There are many unforgettable moments."
Chef Juanma is very grateful to his family for helping him get where he is today, especially because his company is family owned. He also notes how supportive his friends and associates have been throughout this whole journey. He leads a busy and hectic life, but his current partner Maria Antonia and his six-year-old daughter are always there for him no matter what. Chef Juanma sees his employees as supporters and partners. "Although they are my employees, I can also call them my friends, as they have been working with me for more than 10 years, and currently, they are even my partners."
Other new and exciting projects are definitely in the works for Elcielo. Currently, Juanma is working on a project in Miami on the beach. He says that soon he will be able to give more details about that. They are also working to open more Elcielo hotels in different parts of the United States and internationally. He really wants to open hotels in Miami, Washington, DC, and Los Angeles.
Overall, Chef Juanma and the Elcielo Restaurant are both extremely successful in all areas. The Michelin Star awarded to Elcielo Miami is a testament to the restaurant's commitment to excellence and innovation in the culinary world. It is a great honor for both Chef Juanma and his team, and it is a reflection of the high standards that they hold in every aspect of their beautiful dining experience.
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