What does Aruba taste like? Discover it at the Ñam Santiago Festival 2025

Have you ever wondered what a particular destination tastes like? What kind of evocative experience a Caribbean island evokes on your palate? Some flavors—most likely coming from the sea—may linger in your mouth, seasoned with the unmistakable aroma of the beach and a touch of trade winds.

In Aruba, we want to tell you that's not the case! The Happy Island is a confluence of flavors and cultural influences you probably wouldn't have imagined. Its history of European colonization, the unusual coexistence of more than 100 nationalities, and a vibrant Caribbean soul as its unifying axis have made Aruba a hotbed of
culinary creativity. And it's time for Chile to discover it!

A glimpse of this fascinating story will be told at the Ñam Santiago 2025 Festival, taking place in Padre Hurtado Park on March 28, 29, and 30. With two must-see venues for lovers of good food and drink, Aruba will be one of the special guests at the 12th edition of this prestigious gastronomic festival, and people are encouraged to book their dates now for this weekend.

The first event is this Friday, March 28th, at 1:00 PM at Academia Ñam with Teddy Bouroncle, chef of Lima Bistro and Azar, two of the destination's most prominent restaurants today. Based in Aruba for 11 years, this Lima native with a Caribbean heart will present the traditional Keshi Yena, an iconic dish from the island, in what will be the kickoff of Academia Ñam, one of the most anticipated venues of the Ñam Santiago Festival.

Bouroncle will be joined by renowned food journalist

Daniel Greve, who will add a refreshing touch of warmth with the Aruba Ariba cocktail, a vibrant blend of spirits that has captivated locals and tourists since its creation in 1960. 

Greve was one of the guests at the "Authentic Aruba" festival, held in October 2024, one of the Happy Island's major initiatives to introduce the world to this renewed wave of fusions and flavors that characterize it.

The second meeting is with Teddy Bouroncle. On Sunday, March 30th, at 1:00 PM, the chef will participate in the Ñam Innova section with a talk that will address his culinary experience in Aruba, the sustainable model of cooking in the destination, and his strategic vision for positioning itself as a culinary benchmark in the Caribbean by 2030. The ingredients are ready, and the preparation is already captivating with its alluring aromas!

And if that weren't enough, those interested in learning more about the flavors of Aruba can visit the Aruba booth at Festival Ñam Santiago between March 28 and 30 and participate in a chance to win a stay at exclusive hotels and a dinner for two at Lima Bistró and Azar. Simply register using a QR code form, follow @arubabonbini, take a photo at the Aruba booth, and post it during the event.

Fuente: Aruba Tourism Authority.