For some people, food is nourishment. For others, it is tradition. But for Executive Chef Margarita Vaamonde, food represents something far more profound: the ultimate expression of art, culture, identity, and human connection. As one of Dubai’s most respected culinary leaders, Margarita has spent more than fifteen years transforming ingredients, experiences, and cultural histories into unforgettable dining experiences that transcend borders and redefine modern gastronomy.
Today, as the Executive Chef of Soul Kitchen Dubai, part of the renowned Factory People hospitality group, Margarita Vaamonde stands at the forefront of one of the UAE’s most innovative culinary movements. Her journey, which spans Venezuela, Argentina, the United States, and the United Arab Emirates, reflects a remarkable combination of artistic vision, technical mastery, cultural exploration, and relentless passion.
Her story is not simply about becoming a successful chef. It is about using food as a language that connects people, cultures, and generations.
A Journey That Began With Passion and Creativity
Born and raised in Venezuela, Margarita Vaamonde discovered early in life that creativity would play a defining role in her future. While many chefs describe food as a craft, Margarita viewed it as an artistic medium capable of expressing emotions, history, and identity.
This artistic perspective shaped not only her culinary journey but also her education. Alongside developing her professional culinary skills, Margarita pursued formal artistic studies, strengthening the creative foundation that would later distinguish her work as a chef. Her belief that food and art are deeply interconnected continues to influence every aspect of her professional philosophy.
For Margarita, creating a dish has never been solely about technique or presentation. It is about storytelling, emotion, and creating experiences that leave lasting impressions.
Building an International Culinary Career
Over the past fifteen years, Margarita Vaamonde has built an extraordinary international career that spans four countries and some of the world’s most respected culinary institutions. Her professional journey has taken her from Venezuela to Argentina, the United States, and ultimately the United Arab Emirates, where she has established herself as one of the region’s leading culinary innovators.
Throughout her career, she has worked alongside internationally acclaimed chefs and within some of the world’s most prestigious hospitality environments. Among her significant achievements was joining the team of Michelin-starred chef Pierre Gagnaire’s restaurant in Dubai, where she gained invaluable experience working at the highest levels of fine dining excellence.
She later played a pivotal role as Executive Sous Chef during the opening of Morimoto Dubai, working alongside internationally renowned Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto. This experience further expanded her understanding of global cuisine, innovation, and leadership within world-class hospitality operations.
From Buenos Aires to Hollywood
Margarita’s international experiences continued to shape her unique culinary perspective.
During her time in Argentina, she worked at Elena Restaurant at Four Seasons Hotel Buenos Aires, recognized among Latin America’s most celebrated dining destinations. There, she immersed herself in the richness of Latin American culinary traditions while refining her technical expertise and understanding of luxury hospitality.
Her journey later took her to Los Angeles, where she served as Executive Sous Chef at CATCH LA, one of Hollywood’s most recognized celebrity dining destinations. This experience exposed her to another dimension of hospitality: creating exceptional experiences within highly dynamic and globally visible environments.
Each country, culture, and kitchen contributed to the development of a culinary philosophy that embraces diversity, creativity, and storytelling.
Leading the MasterChef Experience
One of the defining chapters of Margarita Vaamonde’s career came when she was appointed Head Chef of MasterChef, The TV Experience in Dubai, the world’s first restaurant concept inspired by the internationally renowned television franchise.
In this role, Margarita collaborated closely with multiple international versions of the MasterChef brand, including editions from the United Kingdom, Australia, the United States, Italy, and India. She worked alongside contestants, champions, and celebrity judges while helping bring globally recognized culinary experiences to audiences in the Middle East.
Beyond managing culinary operations, this experience strengthened her ability to merge entertainment, creativity, and hospitality into a single, immersive experience.
Her expertise and charisma also led to appearances as a guest judge on international cooking programs and regular participation in radio shows and culinary discussions throughout the UAE.
Creating Culinary Art at Soul Kitchen Dubai
Today, Margarita Vaamonde serves as Executive Chef of Soul Kitchen Dubai, one of the city’s most innovative dining concepts developed by Beirut’s influential Factory People hospitality group.
Soul Kitchen is more than a restaurant. It is a cultural experience inspired by the history of Arab migration to Latin America and the extraordinary culinary exchange that followed. The concept celebrates how migration fuels creativity, blending Levantine and Latin American flavors into a sophisticated and emotionally resonant dining experience.
Under Margarita’s leadership, dishes such as Hummus Chimichurri, Chicken Shawarma Empanadas, and Wagyu Kafta served in traditional arepas tell stories of migration, identity, and cultural evolution. Each creation reflects her belief that food should not only satisfy hunger but also evoke emotion and create connection.
The restaurant’s innovative approach has received international recognition, including being named among Condé Nast Traveler’s top new restaurants worldwide. Additionally, Soul Kitchen and Margarita herself have received nominations for prestigious culinary awards across the UAE hospitality industry.
Where Culinary Arts Meet Fine Arts
What truly distinguishes Margarita Vaamonde is her belief that chefs are artists.
Her background in visual arts continues to influence her culinary creations, allowing her to approach food through a multidimensional lens that combines aesthetics, culture, history, and emotion. For Margarita, every plate represents a canvas and every ingredient becomes a medium of artistic expression.
This philosophy has guided her entire career and continues to inspire her work today.
As she continues pushing the boundaries of contemporary gastronomy, Margarita Vaamonde remains committed to creating experiences that transcend traditional dining. Her journey serves as a powerful reminder that food is one of humanity’s most universal forms of art, capable of preserving history, celebrating identity, and bringing people together across cultures and continents.
In an industry driven by creativity and passion, Margarita Vaamonde has proven that true culinary excellence is not simply about cooking. It is about telling stories, creating memories, and transforming every meal into a meaningful experience.
Follow Margarita Vaamonde on Instagram.
Read More – 20 New Dubai Brunches Worth Adding to Your Weekend Plans in 2026
