Alila Villas Uluwatu is delighted to announce the appointment of Executive Chef Ivan Alvarez, whose diverse experience and creativity herald exciting and mindful culinary journeys at the resort.
Hailing from the Canary Islands, Ivan was inspired to become a chef by watching his auntie cook on special family occasions, dreaming that he too would be able to create the same happiness through his food creations. He began his culinary career in 2002 at the one-Michelin-starred Las Rejas. Since then, on a quest to discover both new and diverse ingredients and local cooking techniques around the world, Ivan has worked at restaurants and hotels in Spain, most notably at the renowned three-Michelin-starred El Bulli, as well as Thailand, Singapore, the UK, Chile and China. Prior to joining Alila Villas Uluwatu, he was executive chef at China World Summit Wing, Beijing.
As world-renowned chef Thomas Keller once said, “A recipe has no soul. You, as the cook, must bring soul to the recipe.” Chef Ivan brings the soul through his respect for the ingredients and for different culinary cultures. Thanks to his experience working in different countries, he has had the opportunity to learn about a great variety of cuisines and takes joy in sharing his experiences through his food.
In this new chapter of his culinary travels, Chef Ivan, an ISSA-certified specialist in sports nutrition, looks forward to bringing to life Alila Villas Uluwatu’s vision to become a food destination, not only for guests but also for residents of the island, while focusing on more curated and healthy menus. “The culinary industry is going through considerable changes, from the consumer to food safety, innovation and digital revolution. So I believe that intelligent marketing strategies as well as a shift towards more conscious and mindful eating will continue to dominate the culinary future,” he shares.
For a resort that has made sustainability a core pillar of its operations and guest experience, creating a more socially, environmentally and health-conscious culinary experience is only natural. “We are excited to welcome Ivan as the head of culinary at Alila Villas Uluwatu, I believe that his creativity in crafting outstanding healthy and sustainable menus will take our guests on a culinary journey that is not only inspiring but also meaningful,” says Hemal Jain, General Manager, Alila Villas Uluwatu.