i. Biography
An Ecuadorian chef, Santiago Nieto’s work reads as continuity inside one house: first as Executive Chef at Casa Julián, then as Executive Chef at Casa Julián – Hotel del Parque. The move is less a reset than a tightening of the same kitchen language, with place and purpose brought into sharper focus over time. “Nuestra cocina en Casa Julián solo se siente cuando la vives. Tienes que vivirlo.” Santiago has said.
The Climb
Early responsibility at Casa Julián helped define the standards now attached to Santiago Nieto. As Executive Chef there, the role demanded control, clear direction, and exacting discipline; those are the habits that carried forward. In his current post as Executive Chef of Casa Julián – Hotel del Parque, he remains inside a house with an established reputation, while giving its expression a more precise edge.
Today
Ceviche Jipijapa is the named marker in Santiago Nieto’s cooking, served with Club Premium. For the kitchen, it functions as a direct statement of Ecuadorian flavor and place, built to be read without ornament. The plate’s value lies in its clarity: a dish that identifies the menu’s direction through one specific, grounded signature. Sustainability is another part of the brief. Santiago Nieto treats the marine-free menu as a professional constraint, one that forces the kitchen to balance pleasure, sourcing, and limitation at the same time. That restraint does not soften the cooking; it gives it structure.
Signature
Santiago's signature dishes include Ceviche Jipijapa.
Recognition
The recognition around Santiago Nieto’s work sits in the specificity of Casa Julián: Ecuadorian fine dining in Guayaquil, a named signature in Ceviche Jipijapa, and a cooking philosophy centered on experience. The restaurant shaped the work and still frames it, so the progression reads less like a series of jumps than a steady refinement of focus. That continuity keeps chef and house linked. Each service extends what came before, and the meal remains the clearest expression of what Santiago Nieto has built.
Profile updated July 2026
FAQ
Asked of Santiago
What is Santiago Nieto's current role?
As of 2026, Santiago Nieto is Executive Chef.
Where did Santiago Nieto work before?
Santiago Nieto's earlier career included Casa Julián.
