My name is Judith, and I am from Ecuador, a beautiful country in South America. I grew up in Santo Domingo de los Tsachilas, an area located between the coast and the mountains, so we had the best produce. I grew up in a big family where food and music were always part of our joy – we loved getting together, sharing meals, and dancing. In Ecuador, you can find four seasons in one day by travelling from one part of the country to another, and that means that you can experience many different types of food in the country.

When I came to England, I started to do some voluntary work in a ‘healthy living’ community group, and I used to run a session on healthy eating – this is reflected in my menu today. Teaching others about Ecuadorian food helps me feel close to my country and reminds me that even far from home, we can still celebrate who we are and connect with others through culture and food. Each dish I create carries the soul of my homeland that is inspired by the unique beauty of the Amazon, where the jungle speaks and nature is sacred. My hands work with love, honouring my roots and sharing a little piece of living nature with the world.