Héctor Jiménez-Bravo traveled to Canada for the first time in five years
Hector Jimenez-Bravo, a Ukrainian chef of Colombian descent, visited Canada for the first time in five years. The chef traveled abroad on business that required his personal presence.
During the trip, the restaurateur visited his Canadian estate, nestled in the woods, and also met up with old friends. Héctor Jiménez-Bravo shared his impressions of the trip on social media.
Returning to his Canadian home evoked a strong sense of nostalgia for the past in the chef. At the same time, what brought him the greatest joy was the opportunity to enjoy peace and quiet—something he particularly misses in Ukraine, according to the chef.
“And this trip also gave me the chance to experience what we’ve all been missing so much—peace. I didn’t miss a single sunrise or sunset near my home. I just sat there, looked at the sky, breathed, and savored every minute. Because when you live in Ukraine today, you start to view such seemingly ordinary moments in a completely different light,” the chef explained.
Despite his nostalgia for Canada, where Héctor Jiménez-Bravo gained important professional opportunities and began building his career, he emphasized that his current life is inextricably linked to Ukraine.
The chef noted that he is grateful to Canada for the people, experiences, and opportunities it has given him. At the same time, he considers Ukraine his true home.
“Canada will forever remain an important part of my story. I am grateful to this country for the opportunities, for the people it has given me, and for the journey that began here. But my life today is in Ukraine. My colleagues, my children, and my people are here. This is where my heart, my soul, and my true home are,” he concluded.
Hector Jiménez-Bravo has been a permanent resident of Ukraine since 2009. His current home is in Irpin, in the Kyiv region.
At various points in his life, the chef has lived in Colombia, the United States, and Canada. It was in Canada that he began building his professional career.
The trip to Canada marked Jiménez-Bravo’s first visit in five years to the country where he once lived and worked. At the same time, upon returning home, the chef once again emphasized that today his life, work, and home are all connected to Ukraine.
He shared details of his trip on Instagram.
Earlier, former royal chef Darren McGrady, who served as the personal chef to Queen Elizabeth II and other members of the royal family for 15 years, spoke about the British monarch’s preferences regarding tea.
