diego peña

Meet Diego. Born in Colombia, Diego's love of cooking began long before he stepped into a professional kitchen. Inspired by family traditions, handmade food, and the joy of gathering around the table, his cooking blends comforting classics with thoughtful technique. Whether he's making fresh pasta or recreating recipes passed down through generations, every dish is rooted in connection.

  • Always in my kitchen...

    Fresh pasta.

    For Diego, pasta is endlessly creative. Different shapes, fillings, sauces, and textures make every dish an opportunity to try something new while honouring traditional techniques.

    It's an ingredient and a craft he'll never grow tired of.

  • Learning by Watching

    Unlike many chefs, Diego wasn't taught by one single mentor.

    Instead, he learned by paying attention. Watching family members cook, asking questions, experimenting, and discovering techniques through experience helped shape his style over the years.

    His biggest lesson?

    The smiles around the table are always more important than the meal itself.

A TASTE OF HOME

Torta de Almojábana.

One of Diego's earliest food memories is helping his great-grandmother make this traditional Colombian cheese bread with guava. It wasn't just dessert. It was the centrepiece of birthdays, holidays, and family celebrations.

Those moments taught him that food isn't only about what's on the plate. It's about the people gathered around it.

  • A Lesson Learned the Hard Way

    Your hands are your most valuable kitchen tool.

    After experiencing a serious kitchen injury, Diego gained a new appreciation for working safely and intentionally. It's a reminder he carries into every service and one he hopes every young cook learns before making the same mistake.

  • The Foundation of Every Great Kitchen

    If there's one principle Diego lives by, it's mise en place.

    Preparation comes before everything else.

    A well-organized station, sharp knives, and respect for the ingredients make service smoother and allow creativity to shine when it matters most.

Food Is About People

For Diego, the most rewarding part of cooking has never been recognition or perfection.

It's seeing people gathered around a table, sharing stories, laughing together, and creating memories over a meal.

That's the feeling he chases every time he steps into the kitchen.

  • Check out his website for more details or follow him on Instagram!