i. Biography
Ángel De Sousa’s work at Clara in Quito has been described in terms of precision and restraint: food that is exact without turning rigid, and dishes that land with clarity, a sense of place, and enough lift to avoid predictability.
The Path
Since 2023, Clara has been the clearest place to read Ángel De Sousa’s approach as co-founder and chef. The role sits at the point where kitchen execution and restaurant identity meet, and his name is tied to a style that is measured, deliberate, and attentive to detail.
The Work Today
The food associated with his work turns on specificity, with named dishes carrying the menu rather than a broad, generalized idea of the kitchen. That gives the cooking a defined shape: each plate is distinct, but the throughline is controlled composition. Omelette encocada is built as an omelette paired with Afro-Ecuadorean-style coconut bisque. The dish frames a familiar egg preparation inside a more layered regional reference, using the coconut bisque to give the plate a clearer culinary context. It is a format that stays accessible while carrying more weight in the pairing. The chocolate tart is made with 70 per cent Ecuadorian cacao. That detail fixes the dessert’s identity in the ingredient itself: Ecuadorian cacao, measured at 70 per cent, used without excess embellishment. The result is a dessert that closes with structure and richness kept in check.
Signature
Ángel's signature dishes include tomato and crunchy pig’s ear salad, omelette encocada, and chocolate tart. Read together, they show a cook working through contrast: tomato and pig’s ear for brightness and crunch, egg and coconut bisque for softness and depth, cacao for a firm, concentrated finish. The dishes differ in texture and register, but they share the same discipline in how they are put together.
Acclaim
Ángel's honors include One To Watch Award. It places his work at Clara, since 2023, in view as a kitchen already defined by a distinct hand and a set of dishes that are easy to identify.
Profile updated July 2026
FAQ
Asked of Ángel
What is Ángel De Sousa's current role?
As of 2026, Ángel De Sousa is Chef.
What recognition has Ángel De Sousa received?
One To Watch Award (2024).
