Singapore’s only Colombian restaurant, Latido, reflects chef Fernando Arevalo’s inspiring journey—a career-long celebration of the rich and magical flavors of his homeland. The seasoned chef shared personal memories in a recent conversation with Colombia One.
While studying Mechanical Engineering at Andes University in Bogota, Arevalo began working as a private BBQ chef. Years later, while studying English in New York, he decided to pursue his true passion: cooking.
He started as a bartender while attending the Culinary Education Institute. After completing his internship and gaining experience in diferent kitchens, he went on to work with internationally renowned chef Daniel Boulud.
Later, Arevalo was invited to join Boulud’s team at Mozza, a new restaurant at the luxury Marina Bay Sands hotel in Singapore.
“Back then, unfortunately, just three or four days before my trip to Singapore, the government denied me a work visa—but I came anyway and started knocking on doors looking for a job,” he recalled.
How Fernando Arevalo turned risk into vision with Latido and a bold bet on Colombia
Determined to stay in Asia, Arevalo traveled to Hong Kong and, a few months later, received his Singapore visa. In Hong Kong, he explored opportunities—including one with chef Mario Batali—and in Singapore, he worked at top-ranked restaurants like Bistecca Tuscan Steakhouse.
Eventually, the Colombian chef co-founded his first collaborative project, Artemis, which led him to open his own restaurant: Preludio. This modern European spot operated for seven years.
“Preludio was a modern European restaurant. During those seven years, we did very well—we were listed in the Michelin guide, built a strong client base, and became well known, not just in the industry, but among the general public too,” he said.
In one of the most expensive cities in the world—known for its cultural diversity and world-class culinary scene—Arevalo began to wonder if opening a Colombian restaurant was the right move.
“Opening a Colombian restaurant is a serious decision. Here, investing in a restaurant means making a big investment, and at first, I wasn’t sure if people would be interested,” he reflected.
As Colombian culture gained more visibility on the global stage, Arevalo saw a unique opportunity to fully embrace the concept—opening Latido last December 3, 2024.
A culinary mission rooted in identity, love and innovation
The idea behind Latido was deeply personal. Arevalo wanted to give his daughter—raised in Singapore—a meaningful connection to her Colombian roots. He also saw it as a mission to share that identity with the world:
“Latido is a mission I set for myself—to spread Colombian culture across the world. We don’t cook traditional Colombian food. We take Colombian ingredients, flavors, and techniques and bring them to a new level. If you’re Colombian, you feel represented. If you’re a foreigner, you’re excited by new flavors and combinations. The food is elevated to a very high international standard,” says Arevalo.
Latido Singapore aims to promote Colombia and inspire foreigners to travel through its flavors. In less than a year, the restaurant has become a destination for people from across the region—from Thailand to Australia—curious to discover what Colombian cuisine has to offer.
“The restaurant is full every day… it almost feels like the only thing Singapore was missing was a Colombian restaurant,” Arévalo says, touched by the strong support.
Beyond its refined ambiance and constant stream of guests, Latido stands out for the way it reimagines Colombian cuisine with creativity and precision. Arevalo has taken classic references and elevated them—without losing their soul.
A good example is the arepa de choclo, reinvented with egg, pork, and a spicy paprika sauce—his modern take on a beloved street favorite. A lobster soup inspired by Bogota’s ajiaco, infused with guascas and native potatoes, and a mini lechona prepared fresh daily also delight regulars and newcomers alike.
Fueling creativity with emotion and constant evolution
The inspiration he draws from everyday Colombian life goes far beyond ingredients—it’s rooted in memories, feelings, and sensory experiences that fuel his creative process:
“Our bus rides, the feeling of waking up in Bogota’s cold weather, drinking a hot beef rib broth first thing in the morning—that’s what I try to express. Finding inspiration in Colombia is easy, because it’s full of emotion.”
Arevalo is also the owner of Boronas, a small bakery in Singapore that offers bread, arepas and traditional drinks such as Colombian coffee and agua de panela—a warm beverage made from unrefined cane sugar.
“Beyond his growing ventures, he stays true to the values that have shaped his path. For those just entering the culinary world, Arevalo shared clear advice grounded in passion:
“The most important thing when you’re starting out in this dream of cooking is not to think about money at all. Focus 100% on learning, on understanding every part of the kitchen. Don’t think about being the boss—think about having a good boss. That’s the best advice I can give.”
After years of refining his craft across continents, Fernando Arealo still cooks with purpose—and with heart. And in a city as fast-paced and global as Singapore, Latido offers more than just food: it builds cultural bridges, and tells stories from Colombia in every bite.