In the vibrant world of culinary arts, some chefs leave an indelible mark on their country’s gastronomic landscape. One such luminary is the talented Colombian Chef Juan Manuel Barrientos, also known as Chef Juanma. With his unwavering passion for food and an innovative approach, Chef Juanma has not only elevated Colombian cuisine but has also become a global culinary ambassador.
Juanma’s culinary journey began at a young age, fueled by his fascination with flavors and desire to showcase Colombian ingredients’ rich diversity. With unwavering dedication, he honed his skills in renowned kitchens worldwide, soaking in the wisdom of culinary giants.
As the creator of the famous restaurant chain El Cielo, he has gained significant recognition, most notably from The Michelin Star Guide. His restaurants El Cielo Miami and El Cielo Washington D.C., have each received the special recognition of one Michelin star, and he has recently celebrated the renewal of the Michelin star at El Cielo Miami. Juanma is putting South Florida on the map as a culinary hotspot.
“This is a huge deal and honor not only for our restaurant group but the city of Miami, as Michelin typically only reviews dining rooms in cities like Paris, New York, and Singapore, which are renowned for their refined culinary scene; but now Miami is finally getting recognized as an important food scene as the city continues to flourish with international tourists and residents alike,” says Chef Juanma.
Chef Juanma is proud to say that his team not only puts a modern twist on traditional Colombian cuisine but is made up of 100% Colombian talent. He and his team strive to create a unique dining journey. With a menu that changes every season, Chef Juanma dedicates upwards of 16 hours in the kitchen daily so that his menu will transport diners to ‘Elcielo,’ which translates to English as ‘Heaven.’
Chef Juanma’s passion for cooking always traces back to his family and birthplace, Medellin. Cooking is a therapy, a passion, and an expression of everything he is. His memories of food in Fredonia with his grandparents to the time he opened a magazine in his dad’s workplace that inspired him to take up a culinary career– it all traces back to home.
Now, if 16 hours a day in the kitchen doesn’t tell you how dedicated he is to his craft, let’s talk about his accomplishments just this past month. Along with celebrating El Cielo Miami’s consecutive Michelin star, he was also recognized by the Black Jacket Society.
This program recognizes and celebrates chefs whose restaurants have not only earned Michelin status but those that reflect the philosophy of the Gaggenau brand. Chef Juanma demonstrates a commitment to quality and high standards that the Black Jacket Society holds sacred.
Another testament to Chef Juanma’s kitchen excellence is his appearance at the Miami F1 dining experience. Chef Juanma joined world-renowned chefs, such as Massimo Bottura, at Miami F1’s one-of-a-kind dining experience, “Once Upon a Kitchen.” The 6K culinary experience further solidified Chef Juanma’s expertise, and he could show a few tricks that he uses in his own restaurant’s sensory dining experience.
Lastly, Chef Juanma returns to Telemundo for the next season of Top Chef, where he will be one of three judges on the jury, where 16 contestants will have the chance to win $100,000 and recognition as a ‘Top Chef.’
As Chef Juanma continues to make waves in the culinary world, he envisions a future filled with exciting projects that will further solidify Colombia’s position on the global culinary map. With a zest for innovation and a drive to promote cultural exchange through food, his vision is to establish El Cielo in key culinary capitals worldwide.
In Chef Juanma’s own words, he aspires to “bring the flavors of Colombia to the world, and the flavors of the world to Colombia.”