Step inside the private kitchen of María Cecilia “Chechi” Restrepo, in Cartagena’s Historic Center. Through a shared meal and personal conversation, discover her blend of Arabic family traditions and Caribbean flavors in a space she opens to guests through a close local connection.
Behind a pink door, there is a table full of stories.
What to Expect
With our Private tours in Cartagena, we take care of all the details so you can fully enjoy your journey.
Step into Chechi’s private kitchen
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Enter a tucked-away space in Cartagena’s Historic Center, away from the usual restaurant scene, and experience a place that Chechi opens personally to her guests.
Meet María Cecilia “Chechi” Restrepo
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Get to know the woman behind the kitchen, hear about her culinary journey, and discover the experiences that have shaped her approach to food.
Explore Arabic and Caribbean influences
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Discover how Chechi brings together her family’s Arabic roots and the ingredients, flavors, and cooking traditions of Colombia’s Caribbean coast.
Taste a local favorite
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Begin with a traditional corn arepa de huevo, served with one of Chechi’s signature artisanal sauces.
Share a meal around the table
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Enjoy a buffet-style lunch served at the center of the table, with main courses and beverages. The shared format reflects the traditions of abundance and hospitality that inspire Chechi’s cooking.
Hear the stories behind the food
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Throughout the experience, Chechi shares the ideas, memories, and personal experiences that inform her recipes and her relationship with cooking.
What to Wear
- Light, comfortable clothing and walking shoes suitable for Cartagena’s Historic Center.
Accessibility & Dietary Needs
- Not wheelchair accessible due to the structure of the historic building and the narrow access through Callejón de los Estribos.
- Vegetarian options are available upon prior request. Please share any other dietary requirements in advance so we can confirm them.
Duration
This experience lasts 2 hours
Chechi’s Hidden Kitchen in Cartagena: A Closer Look
Chechi’s Hidden Kitchen is a two-hour private lunch in the kitchen of chef María Cecilia “Chechi” Restrepo, behind a pink door in Callejón de los Estribos, in Cartagena’s Historic Center. It is not a restaurant: guests share one communal table, with the main dishes served buffet-style at the center, and Chechi hosts the whole encounter herself.
Her cooking sits between two inheritances: her family’s Arabic roots and the food traditions of Colombia’s Caribbean coast. Her career has included diplomatic dining and social initiatives in some of Cartagena’s most vulnerable communities, and it shaped her belief that cooking brings people together.
The lunch starts with a corn arepa de huevo and one of her artisanal sauces, then moves to the shared table. As you eat, Chechi explains the ingredients and the influences behind her recipes, and there is time for questions. It is a meal and a conversation, not a cooking class.
A Glimpse of the tour
Come in, take a seat, and share Chechi’s table.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chechi’s Hidden Kitchen
What is Chechi’s Hidden Kitchen in Cartagena?
Chechi’s Hidden Kitchen is a private culinary experience in Cartagena’s Historic Center, hosted by María Cecilia “Chechi” Restrepo. Guests visit her private kitchen, discover the Arabic and Caribbean influences behind her cooking, and share a communal lunch while hearing the stories behind her food.
Who is Chechi?
María Cecilia “Chechi” Restrepo is a Cartagena-based chef whose culinary approach brings together her family’s Arabic heritage and the flavors of Colombia’s Caribbean coast. Her professional experience includes diplomatic dining and social initiatives in Cartagena’s vulnerable communities.
Where does Chechi’s Hidden Kitchen take place?
The experience takes place in Chechi’s private kitchen in Callejón de los Estribos, within Cartagena’s Historic Center. It is a private space rather than a conventional commercial restaurant.
What kind of food will I try?
The meal combines Caribbean ingredients and cooking traditions with influences from Chechi’s Arabic family heritage. It begins with a corn arepa de huevo and an artisanal sauce, followed by a shared buffet-style lunch with main courses and beverages.
What does the dining experience look like?
Guests share a communal table, with the dishes placed at the center for everyone to enjoy. It is a relaxed, shared dining format inspired by traditions of hospitality and abundance, rather than a conventional restaurant service with individual plated courses.
Will I meet Chechi during the experience?
Yes. Chechi personally hosts the encounter, sharing her kitchen, her culinary perspective, and the stories behind her recipes. Conversation and personal exchange are an important part of the experience.
Can vegetarian meals be arranged?
Yes. Vegetarian options are available upon prior request. Please communicate dietary requirements before the experience so the team can confirm what can be accommodated.
Is Chechi’s Hidden Kitchen wheelchair accessible?
No. The historic building and the narrow access through Callejón de los Estribos make the experience unsuitable for wheelchair users.
Is this a cooking class?
No. This is a hosted culinary encounter centered on sharing a meal, discovering Chechi’s cooking, and learning about the stories and cultural influences behind it. Guests are not expected to prepare the dishes.
How long does the experience last?
The experience lasts 2 hours.
Can I book the experience on any day?
The experience is not available on Saturdays, when the kitchen is open to the public. Sundays can be arranged upon request.
