Alejandra Espinoza
Alejandra Espinoza
Founder & Executive Chef
Gifted with equal parts verve, vision, and an insatiable drive to create, Ecuadorian chef Alejandra Espinoza is the co-owner and creative force behind Somos. Unapologetically, she’s making room for the people, places and palette of Ecuador at the global culinary table through her genre-defining cuisine.
After years of study, travel, and life abroad, Alejandra returned to her country in 2018 to launch Somos’ flagship, igniting a movement to raise the global profile of Ecuadorian cuisine. A seasonal, Miami outpost of the restaurant will open March 2024.
In 2024, Alejandra also opened COTOA, a restaurant of Ecuadorian cuisine in Miami that was listed as a Michelin Guide recommendation. Building on its acclaim, she has since launched COTOITA, a fast-casual concept that reimagines Ecuadorian cuisine in an authentic and accessible way.
A champion of responsible, regenerative food systems, Alejandra is a UN Tourism Special Ambassador of Gastronomy for her contributions to Ecuador’s cultural patrimony. In this role she amplifies the message of tourism for sustainable development and equal opportunity, with global activations to promote Ecuadorian food worldwide.
Alejandra is degreed in hospitality management, with an additional diploma qualification in culinary arts and restaurant management from Institut Paul Bocuse. An adventure-seeker, avid trail runner, and mountaineer, Alejandra can be found enjoying Ecuador’s high sierras any chance she gets alongside husband and business partner, Signo Uddenberg, and their two young children.
Gifted with equal parts verve, vision, and an insatiable drive to create, Ecuadorian chef Alejandra Espinoza is the co-owner and creative force behind Somos. Unapologetically, she’s making room for the people, places and palette of Ecuador at the global culinary table through her genre-defining cuisine.
After years of study, travel, and life abroad, Alejandra returned to her country in 2018 to launch Somos’ flagship, igniting a movement to raise the global profile of Ecuadorian cuisine. A seasonal, Miami outpost of the restaurant will open March 2024.
A champion of responsible, regenerative food systems, Alejandra is a UN Tourism Special Ambassador of Gastronomy for her contributions to Ecuador’s cultural patrimony. In this role she amplifies the message of tourism for sustainable development and equal opportunity, with global activations to promote Ecuadorian food worldwide.
Alejandra is degreed in hospitality management, with an additional diploma qualification in culinary arts and restaurant management from Institut Paul Bocuse. An adventure-seeker, avid trail runner, and mountaineer, Alejandra can be found enjoying Ecuador’s high sierras any chance she gets alongside husband and business partner, Signo Uddenberg, and their two young children.
