Ambassador
ALEX ATALA
Alex Atala is a Brazilian chef of Irish Lebanese ancestry, who runs the restaurant D.O.M. Native ingredients are a hallmark of his cuisine, from jambú, a herb that creates a tingling sensation on the tongue, to Atala's now world-famous use of ants.
He is also the Founder of the ATA Institute in Brazil which researches and promotes Brazilian Indigenous ingredients, working directly with Amazonian communities.
Internationally acclaimed, Alex frequently give lectures at major gastronomic events around the world. He is passionate about native food, acknowledging cultural heritage and giving back to Indigenous communities.
In the establishment years of the Foundation, Jock spent time with Alex in the Amazon where he shared his exstensive learnings in setting up a Foundation and how to design the most effective research team.