I’m in Salinas, Ecuador this week.  Yesterday a local friend, Ed Farkas, took me and a few friends on a tour of Salinas and environs.

Our first stop was Academia de Gastronomia where I was introduced to Chef Roberto Rabotti.  We toured the facility and discussed his philosophy of culinary training (a one year intensive program in the classroom followed by practical experience in restaurant kitchens).

It was a slow day at the Academy as graduation was the day before.  The Academy is currently accepting new students.

The Academy has an on-site restaurant as well as a coffee shop.

Chef Rabotti is originally from Italy but has been in Ecuador for many years after working in Italy, Switzerland, Colombia and other countries.

The Academy provides critical professional training for a country that has an important tourist infrastructure.

Chef Rabotti also has a very highly rated Italian restaurant, Italian Gourmet, in Salinas.  It is very near the condo we are in but it appears to be closed until tourist season starts in earnest next month.  We’ve tried to go there twice (once for lunch and once for dinner) but it was closed both times.  We’re going to give it one more try before we leave.