A restaurant in Barranquilla, Manuel Cocina, has entered the list of the 100 best restaurants in Latin America.
With the publication of the Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants ranking, the best restaurants in Latin America were revealed. Gastronomic establishments from 27 cities across the region were evaluated. The first Colombian restaurant to appear on the list is Manuel, located in Barranquilla (Atlántico), which secured the 77th position.
On Instagram, the restaurant celebrated the recognition:
“We are very happy with this acknowledgment from The World’s 50 Best, which is not just for us but also for Barranquilla. We have been working for many years to provide our customers with the best experience in our restaurant, and we strive every day to make Barranquilla a gastronomic destination. This award is recognition for each person working in the restaurant who has worked hard to improve every day and has believed in this dream called Manuel.”
In addition to Manuel, Colombia managed to position 5 other restaurants in the 51-100 range: Mesa Franca, Bogotá (78th), Salvo Patria, Bogotá (80th), Sambombi Bistró Local, Medellín (89th), Harry Sasson, Bogotá (98th), and Oda, Bogotá (99th).
Who is the owner of the restaurant Manuel?
Manuel Mendoza, the founder and owner of Manuel, was born in Barranquilla. He has a degree in business administration from the Jorge Tadeo Lozano University and is a chef from the Gato Dumas School of Gastronomy.
The chef achieved notable recognition by receiving a nomination for Cocinero Revelación in Bogotá at Madrid Fusión 2021. Additionally, he won 12 La Barra awards between 2016 and 2020 in various categories. This chef is the owner of the Cocina 33 restaurant in the city of Montería.
Manuel Cocina “seeks to highlight the ingredients, flavors, and techniques of local gastronomy, blending them with creative and avant-garde cuisine, where authentic flavor predominates.”
The team responsible for providing good service and creating an unforgettable experience for those who decide to try the dishes at Manuel’s restaurant includes, according to the restaurant’s website:
“Our captain, Adonis Bello, leads this team of professionals with extensive experience and expertise, emphasizing love, dedication, and passion for their work. The kitchen – led by our chef Manuel Mendoza and our Head Chef Rafael Pedraza,” it says.
It also states that a team of young, passionate, committed, disciplined, and creative individuals makes up the kitchen staff. “Our goal is to serve dishes of the highest level, maintaining constant research on our products, local flavors, and trends.”
Regarding the objective and experience the restaurant wants to offer, it asserts that “Manuel opened its doors in the city of Barranquilla to provide a gastronomic and service experience to all its diners. Its cuisine continually transforms, incorporating both local and global flavors, reinterpreting and evolving through the use of ingredients from around the world. However, we emphasize the origins ingrained in the diverse ingredients contributed by our beloved Colombia as the most crucial aspect for us.”
Other cities that entered this prestigious list for the first time include Córdoba, Argentina, with the restaurant El Papagayo (82nd). Also, Mérida, Mexico, entered with the restaurant Huniik, which secured the 58th position.
