The Embassy of Ecuador in the Netherlands, in collaboration with Leonardo Royal Hotel, Diplomat Magazine, and Air Europa, proudly presents a one-night-only Ecuadorian Food Festival on 4 September 2025. This exclusive dining experience will bring together authentic Ecuadorian flavors, highlighting the country’s rich culinary diversity—from the Andes highlands to the Pacific coast.
Central to the evening are two celebrated Ecuadorian chefs who, together with Chef Sido de Brabander, will design and present a menu that showcases Ecuador’s gastronomic heritage through innovation and authenticity.
Chef David Reyes
With more than 20 years of culinary experience, David Reyes is a master in blending tradition with creativity. He lead two distinctive restaurants in London: one centered on modern British cuisine, and another offering a refined Peruvian-Japanese fusion concept. His passion for Ecuadorian flavors has led him to collaborate closely with the Embassy of Ecuador, the Ministry of Tourism, Quito Tourism Board, and Pro-Ecuador. Through a series of high-profile culinary events in London, David has promoted Ecuadorian products—such as cacao, seafood, and exotic fruits—placing them firmly on the international gastronomic map. His dishes reflect a balance of precision, authenticity, and global sophistication.
Chef Emilio Dalmau
Equally distinguished, Emilio Dalmau brings two decades of expertise rooted in creative modern Ecuadorian cuisine while drawing inspiration from Spanish avant-garde techniques and French Mediterranean traditions. A consultant and lecturer in gastronomy at the Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ), he has trained a new generation of chefs while developing innovative culinary concepts. Emilio is also a recognized brand ambassador for global and regional names such as Crocs, Stella Artois, 3M Nexcare, Hoja Verde Chocolate, Diners Club, and Totto, among others. His is a very popular influencer who extends his popularity to television, having appeared as a guest chef and judge on MasterChef, where he led masterclasses showcasing Ecuador’s unique flavors. His creative philosophy—“cuisine to emptiness”—emphasizes purity, innovation, and the emotional experience of dining.
A Feast of Ecuadorian Flavors
Together, Reyes and Dalmau will curate a menu that features Ecuador’s finest ingredients, including world-renowned cacao and chocolate, fresh seafood, avocados, cassava, and tropical fruits. Paired with Ecuadorian wines, the evening promises to be a feast for the senses—an opportunity to explore Ecuador’s culinary landscape in the heart of The Hague.
For one evening only, guests will discover how Ecuador’s culinary ambassadors are reinterpreting tradition for the modern table, bringing the soul of Ecuador to an international audience.
