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This season, many of you are busy preparing for holiday feasts with friends and loved ones. 

Here at Ecoventura, we’re constantly working to perfect and enhance every guest’s dining experience.

When you travel with us, we know that your culinary journey in the Galapagos is just as important as your daily excursions. After all, one of the best ways to experience a new place is through your tastebuds!

As such, we are delighted to offer passengers on our luxury vessel, the MV ORIGIN, a culinary departure in the fall of 2018 with local celebrity chef, Chef Juan Carlos Ordoñez!

About Chef Juan Carlos Ordoñez

Chef Ordoñez is the talented executive chef at Casa Julian the famed restaurant housed in Hotel Del Parque, a five-star luxury boutique hotel in Samborondon, a suburb of Guayaquil.

This leader in Ecuadorian gastronomy will be on board to wow you with his signature style that combines the traditions and customs of local cuisine with his creativity and innovation.

When he was 19 years old, Juan Carlos studied Gastronomy and Hotel Management in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in the International Buenos Aires Hotel and Restaurant School.

After working in a few catering companies, he decided to dedícate his career to gastronomy complementing his studies in the Cocineros Gato Dumas College, obtaining a degree in Professional Cooking, majoring in Gastronomy Management.

While living in Argentina, Juan Carlos worked as an apprentice chef in Buenos Aires and San Carlos de Bariloche, gaining more experience until he landed a job at the Four Seasons Hotel, where he stayed for several years. After ending a period of hard work at the Four Seasons Hotel, Soledad Nardelli asked Juan to be part of the CHILA Restaurant in Puerto Madero, ending his stay in South America.

Once Juan Carlos returned to Ecuador, he founded “Sybaris Catering”, one of the most important catering companies in the market. He also started teaching and became the Gastronomy Director of the Superior Institute of Culinary Art. In 2013 Juan Carlos joined the Oro Verde Hotels team, the biggest and most important hotel chain in Ecuador, where he became the Banquet Chef.

In 2016 he became the Executive Chef and Food & Beverage Manager of Casa Julian Restaurant at Hotel del Parque, the first luxury Boutique Hotel in Guayaquil.

Ecoventura’s Culinary Experience in the Galapagos

This special culinary departure is an exciting extension of our culinary mission. All of our Galapagos cruises are staffed by talented culinary-trained chefs who bring the islands to your table with the freshest high-quality ingredients.

Our passion for conservation runs through every meal you enjoy onboard with 48% of our products being organic and 25% of our products sourced right here in the Galapagos. Every year our mission is to reduce the amount of food needed from the mainland to help protect the environment from invasive species and non-native animals. We source meats and dairy from Santa Cruz and organic fruits and vegetables from San Cristobal.

Of course, local seafood is always a favorite!

We offer health-conscious preparations that highlight the quality and incredible flavor of every ingredient. And for guests who have special dietary needs (gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, low sodium/low fat, etc.), we are pleased to accommodate you! Our chefs ensure you don’t have to sacrifice flavor when dining differently from your fellow passengers.

With Ecoventura, you can start your day with a delicious cup of locally grown coffee or hot chocolate alongside breakfast favorites from our delicious and frequently changing breakfast bar. 

Dine on traditional favorites like quiche Lorraine, eggs Benedict, and local yucca dumplings stuffed with cheese served with honey.

We know you will work up an appetite as you snorkel with green sea turtles and colorful reef fish, go on guided nature walks, and sea kayak. After each excursion, our crew will serve delicious snacks to keep you fueled for your adventures!

A hearty buffet-style lunch is served daily in the dining room or on the sundeck. Fresh salads, shrimp ceviche paired with a local fish en papillote, and tuna tartare are only a few of the tasty dishes you may be served during lunch. 

At that time, a staff member will share the dinner menu for the evening and you can choose between two entrees of meat or fish.

After a long day exploring the beautiful islands, freshen up and head to the dining room for a signature cocktail, local beer or a glass of wine.

From grilled langostinos (giant prawns) in garlic aioli to creamy Ecuadorian potato soup, each dish is carefully planned and prepared by our talented culinary team. Our chefs offer a variety of regional dishes as well as timeless favorites to please any palate. Dessert is always offered and changes nightly from a decadent Crème Brulee to a mixed berry pannacotta.

Learn more about our dedication to serving incredible cuisine here.

Ready to taste the Galapagos Islands? Join our culinary departure cruise with Chef Juan Carlos Ordoñez!

Culinary departure on board the MV ORIGIN: September 16-23, 2018.

Cruise rates are $7,850.00 per person and a 10% early bird discount is available up until 180 days prior to departure (subject to change at any time).

If you have any questions or would like to inquire about booking your culinary departure today, please feel free to contact us at any time!