{"id":44325,"date":"2026-06-30T00:10:15","date_gmt":"2026-06-29T23:10:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.viva-lanzarote.com\/?p=44325"},"modified":"2026-06-30T03:12:52","modified_gmt":"2026-06-30T02:12:52","slug":"chef-orlando-ortega","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.viva-lanzarote.com\/en\/chef-orlando-ortega\/","title":{"rendered":"Chef Orlando Ortega"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

\u2018I have fulfilled my dreams, but I still want to keep dreaming\u2019 <\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

He began his career as a waiter at the legendary El Bulli. Today, he celebrates both his first Repsol Sun award and the twentieth anniversary of his restaurant, Lilium. He describes himself as an all-round restaurateur and a happy man. <\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n

How did the current concept of Lilium come about? <\/b><\/p>\n

Lilium, as it exists today, was never part of a grand plan. We\u2019ve grown organically. I started, however I could, with a gastropub in T\u00edas. The concept grew naturally, guided by the space itself. But I always kept my feet on the ground, aware that, above all else, a business must be profitable. From T\u00edas, we moved to my hometown of Arrecife for five years before the opportunity arose in 2006 to move into our current home at Marina Lanzarote.<\/p>\n

Back in T\u00edas, I had chefs working with me, but I always oversaw the kitchen myself. My wife, Sandra Guadalupe, joined the business in 2010, which finally allowed me to focus entirely on the cooking \u2014 my true passion. That said, I\u2019m an all-rounder, and I\u2019m happy in any role.<\/p>\n

What has the Sol Repsol meant to you? <\/b><\/p>\n

Like the ultimate pat on the back! It\u2019s brought recognition and reassurance that we\u2019re doing things right. It validates the concept and gives me more confidence in the day-to-day and to try new things. Thanks to this award, we\u2019ll reach a wider clientele who\u2019ll come to us with a greater sense of trust. As for the responsibility it carries, I couldn\u2019t possibly demand more of myself than I already do. But right now, I couldn\u2019t be happier.<\/p>\n

\n

\u2018I couldn\u2019t possibly demand more of myself than I already do\u2014but right now, I couldn\u2019t be happier\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

How would you define the cooking at Lilium today? <\/b><\/p>\n

It is a new Canarian cuisine, elegant, creative, and bold in its use of fusion. Looking back, especially in those early years in Arrecife, we were pretty pioneering for our time. In many ways, though, the restaurant today is exactly as I had envisioned. <\/span><\/p>\n

What role does Lanzarote play in your dishes? <\/b><\/p>\n

I\u2019ve learnt along the way that visitors to Lanzarote want to find the island reflected on their plate. That is our core clientele: the traveller who wants to understand the place they\u2019re visiting. For me, it\u2019s the most natural approach as this is the territory I know, and it reflects how we\u2019ve grown. Km 0 means embracing produce from the Canary Islands, although I\u2019ll never pass up the chance to harmonise those local ingredients with flavours from elsewhere.<\/p>\n

Where do you want to take your cooking next? <\/b><\/p>\n

Honestly, I don\u2019t know where it will lead me. I believe in growing naturally and organically. I\u2019m genuinely happy doing what I do; I take pleasure in every new dish, every small improvement to the restaurant, even the little things like a new set of crockery. So, one dish at a time, I have fulfilled all my dreams, but I still want to keep dreaming.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u2018I have fulfilled my dreams, but I still want to keep dreaming\u2019 He began his career as a waiter at the legendary El Bulli. Today, he celebrates both his first […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":44323,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[46,50],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-44325","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-gastronomy","category-interviews"],"yoast_head":"\nChef Orlando Ortega - Viva Lanzarote<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Orlando Ortega began his career as a waiter at the legendary El Bulli. 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