Celele is a contemporary Caribbean cuisine restaurant based on the gastronomic culture and biodiversity of the Colombian Caribbean territory. We have been researching and showing the world the importance of the cuisine and the pantry of this region for 6 years. We work hand in hand with small producers, fishermen and artisans, consolidating all our research hand in hand with the botanical garden of Cartagena, biologists and educational institutions.
Celele is considered one of the best restaurants in Latin America, being awarded for years with several recognitions by the famous list “The Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants”, currently occupying the No. 19 of the same.
- 2019 - He was awarded the "Miele One To Watch Award"
- 2020 - Ranked No. 49
- 2021 - Celele remained on "The Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants" list and also received the "Gin Mare Art Of Hospitality Award"
Jaime Rodriguez
At 35 years old Jaime is recognized as one of the best cooks in Colombia with over 16 years of experience, he is co-owner and chef of creative development and research of Celele Restaurant in the city of Cartagena Colombia which is currently positioned as No. 19 of the Latin America’s 50 Best restaurants and for several years since its opening has been awarded by this prestigious list in 2019 as One To Watch, in 2020 No. 49 and in 2021 Art Of Hospitality award. Jaime is co-founder of Proyecto Caribe Lab and has been dedicated for more than 10 years to travel the Colombian territory to investigate about its gastronomic culture and biodiversity in order to make known the importance of this to the world and be inspired to create their dishes through contemporary cuisine.
Jaime is featured in the 2021 edition of the PHAIDON book (TODAY’S SPECIAL 20 LEADING CHEFS CHOOSE 100 EMERGING CHEFS ) chosen by the renowned Peruvian chef Virgilio Margnez, in 2016 and 2020 he was the chef who represented Colombia in Madrid fusion, to working in important restaurants and hotels in the national and international environment, 6 of these years as executive chef in different projects of chef Jorge Rausch and also a season as stager in the Basque Restaurant 3 Michelin stars Akelarre, his career has been laureate by great awards in competitions such as the Bocuse d ́Or Lagn America in Mexico DF 2011, the world young chef of the Chaine des rotisseurs in Istanbul Turkey 2011 and recognitions as best young chef of Colombia in 2010 and best chef of the Caribbean region in 2016.
Among other important aspects of his career Jaime is chef ambassador for the chancellery of the Government of Colombia where he traveled to different embassies around the world showing Colombian cuisine in the country’s promotion program, he has also taught workshops on Colombian cuisine in different universities including the Basque Culinary Center in the Basque country, he is currently an honorary member of Galapagos foundation where he collaborates in training the Muyu Galapagos team on the island of San Cristobal Ecuador in the project of the prestigious food journalist Luciana Bianchi.
