#FOOD: CHEFS ESAU GARCIA X ANDRÉS JARAMILLO FICOA X ABRIELLE COLLABORATION

On Wednesday, November 12, 2025, two of Toronto’s leading Neo-Latin chefs—Esau Garcia of Ficoa and Andrés Jaramillo of Abrielle—bring their MICHELIN-recognized experience from previous kitchens, unite for Scripted Plates, the first in a series one-night tasting experiences hosted by Ficoa (585 College St.). The first edition featuring Abrielle will explore the meeting point of Neo-Latin fire and Mediterranean calm. Garcia, whose culinary path spans from Totti’s in Australia to celebrated Toronto kitchens such as Rosalinda, Lena, and Madrina Bar y Tapas—brings his signature wood-fired intensity. Jaramillo, who began cooking at just 15, rose to national attention on MasterChef Colombia, and refined his craft at Alobar and Alder before leading Abrielle, brings a soulful Mediterranean expression. Together, they will present a tasting that celebrates passion, technique, and culinary artistry.
Guests can reserve their seats [HERE].

“We didn’t set out to fuse cuisines,” says Garcia. “We wanted to let them speak to each other. Abrielle is Mediterranean, but Andrés brings a vibrant Colombian perspective that naturally complements my Mexican roots and Ficoa’s Neo-Latin approach. Food is a universal language, and this collaboration is our conversation on the plate.”

Each seating will feature a curated tasting menu priced at $180 with alcoholic pairings or $160 with non-alcoholic pairings, exclusive of tax and gratuity. The pairings—designed collaboratively between the two bar programs—highlight complementary expressions of minerality, smoke, and acidity.

The first in an ongoing series of chef collabs by Ficoa, Scripted Plates also gestures toward something larger: the city’s growing appetite for cross-genre dining, where chefs engage in conversation rather than competition. Scripted Plates reflects that shift—a confidence that Toronto’s culinary identity no longer fits neatly into borders.

Event Details
Date: Wednesday, November 12, 2025
Location: Ficoa — 585 College Street West, Toronto
Seatings: 5:00 PM and 8:00 PM
Tasting Menu: $180 with alcoholic pairings | $160 with non-alcoholic pairings
(Prices exclude tax and gratuity)
Reservations can be made [HERE].

About the Chefs

Executive Chef Esau Garcia, Executive Chef, Ficoa
Known for his soulful precision and globally informed take on Latin cuisine, Chef Esau Garcia’s résumé includes leadership roles at Toronto’s MICHELIN-recognized Madrina Bar y Tapas and acclaimed restaurants such as Rosalinda and Lena. His culinary philosophy—respect the ingredients, honour tradition, elevate the plate—guides Ficoa’s exploration of modern Latin fine dining.

Executive Chef Andrés Jaramillo, Executive Chef, Abrielle
Hailing from Colombia, Chef Andrés Jaramillo is the Executive Chef at Abrielle, the modern fine dining destination inside The Sutton Place Hotel Toronto. Since opening in June 2023, he has shaped Abrielle’s acclaimed à la carte and tasting menus, celebrated for their seasonal focus, precise technique, and bold, globally inspired flavours.

His tasting menus—often booked weeks in advance—showcase his talent for storytelling through food, creating dining experiences that are both memorable and heartfelt.

Recognized as a rising force in Canada’s culinary scene, Chef Andrés continues to push creative boundaries while fostering a culture of excellence and mentorship in his kitchen.

About Ficoa
Founded by serial restaurateur Patricia Toro in 2023, Ficoa is a Neo-Latin fine dining restaurant in Toronto’s Little Italy. Under the culinary direction of Executive Chef Esau Garcia, Ficoa reimagines Latin flavours through a globally influenced lens—layering tradition, technique, and emotion into every dish. The restaurant is known for its seasonal tasting menus, polished service, and intimate, design-forward dining room.
IG: @ficoa.to | W: ficoa.ca

About Abrielle
Abrielle in downtown Toronto showcases the vibrant flavours of the Mediterranean Coast, with fresh, high-quality ingredients shaping bold, authentic dishes. The menu draws inspiration from the South of France, Italy, and Spain, with touches from surrounding regions.
IG: @abrielleto | W: abrielle.ca