Deep in Tulum’s jungle, the place historic Mayan heritage meets up to date Mexican delicacies, author and photographer Priscilla Adegoke uncovers a eating expertise not like another. That is the story of UNEM—a non-public culinary collective born from wanderlust, the place hospitality veterans reworked their love for Tulum right into a mission rooted in cultural translation. Seen by way of the lens of somebody who understands that essentially the most significant meals don’t simply fulfill starvation…they inform a narrative.
The Beginning of UNEM
UNEM has earned their option to the highest of our meals suggestions in Tulum however to grasp why, you want to perceive how they got here to be. UNEM emerged from an opportunity escape to Tulum, the place two hospitality veterans discovered themselves captivated by the area’s untamed magnificence and inventive pulse. What started as a retreat from their many years in luxurious meals and beverage grew to become one thing way more transformative: a love affair with a spot that demanded they keep.
The duo assembled a collective of kindred spirits: cooks, mixologists, and creatives who understood their imaginative and prescient, creating what feels much less like a restaurant and extra like a household mission. Their menu doesn’t simply serve meals, it serves reminiscence, every meticulously crafted dish designed to move diners to that first second when Tulum gained their hearts.
Eating with Intention: Assembly Chef Machaki
Chef Machaki was our curator for the night. Poised with confidence and an unforgettable aura, I knew this expertise can be certainly one of observe. Whereas my associates did last make-up touches, I watched him arrange, curious concerning the cultural nuances which may emerge. Actually, I remorse nothing about that call.
Design, Décor, and Dialogue
Chef Machaki and I bonded over his décor philosophy, with no two eating experiences staged the identical. As a fellow perfectionist, I used to be right here for each element. Crystal clusters with black wax dripping down, greenery and florals (I’m no botanist, so gained’t embarrass myself naming them), intertwined brown and pink desk runners, bark, candles that matched the décor. It was a surreal nod to the 4 components. Being virtually outdoor, we agreed this coincidental staging was good.
Within the time it took for lashes to be utilized and that acquainted hiss of setting spray to resound throughout our villa, the dialog had moved over to music – extra particularly Japanese, the place Chef Machaki will get quite a lot of his affect and inspiration from. Japanese martial arts are associated to 2 issues, strike and assault. He applies this to his cooking type.
Given how applicable it appeared to the move of our dialog, I rapidly searched ‘Japanese backyard’ on Spotify and began enjoying the primary issues that got here up. Although the dearth of context when my associates arrived didn’t assist my case and the aux was swiftly taken from me and given to extra trusted fingers. Our as soon as Japanese backyard was now exchanged for Mariachi, Samba and a few Latin funk. The dialog was so stimulating it felt like we’d added our personal ingredient, contemporary air, to Chef’s four-element theme. Very similar to me, he prefers the in-person group really feel over something digital.
From Household Roots to Fantastic Eating
Chef Machaki’s culinary lineage runs deep. His grandmother’s bakery, his father’s restaurant, formal gastronomy research, and childhood spent studying to prepare dinner have all formed his profound respect for components. This heritage manifests in dishes that go away you basically modified, questioning all the things you thought you knew about meals in essentially the most fantastic method.
Past method and flavour, Chef Machaki opened our eyes to the broader meals system, sharing insights about seed modification and its ripple results on our ecosystems. It was a mild reminder concerning the worth seeds carry and the significance of their preservation. That is undoubtedly a subject I’m deeply invested in however will save for an additional day. His ardour for these deeper conversations made the night really feel much less like dinner and extra like these 2 am conversations with associates that inevitably finish with somebody saying “we should always completely begin a podcast collectively”.
A Mexican Menu That Speaks Volumes
Surrendering to the expertise, we opted for the Mexican menu as an ode to what we think about true culinary journey. What an important selection that was. Our meal was served platter-style, unfold between the weather. As somebody who sees the world by way of a lens, I used to be instantly drawn to how the appetisers and mains served collectively created these gorgeous compositions of brilliant colors throughout everybody’s plates.
The ancestral guacamole was intentionally rustic—lime’s acidity slicing by way of beneficiant avocado chunks whereas tomatoes offered a cool umami undertone. However it was the slow-cooked birria that actually stole the night. Tender, deeply flavoured meat nestled inside blue corn tortillas, topped with molten cheese and accompanied by a wealthy consommé for dipping. Every chunk delivered concentrated complexity, capturing genuine Mexican delicacies in its purest kind.
From Substances to Id: What Makes This Meal Matter
When requested to explain his cooking in a single phrase, Chef Machaki selected “Intrepid.” His method ventures into culinary territory that intimidates different cooks, a fearless exploration most wouldn’t dare try. What we skilled was his extra measured facet, although UNEM’s bespoke choices clearly present the canvas for these daring sufficient to enterprise into uncharted waters.
From the staging of the desk by way of to the ornamental plating, Chef Machaki reworked easy components into memorable experiences that linger lengthy after the final chunk. There’s a transparent connection between the eagerness that initially introduced UNEM’s founders to Tulum and what they create now —sharing not simply flavours however the profound sense of belonging they found on this nook of the Yucatán.
What made this night particular was that Chef Machaki shared elements of his background and culinary influences with us, which allowed us to grasp extra about his meals. Meals is a language, a wedding of components and flavours. From the way in which he spoke about his components, I might see he left all his coronary heart on the plate. There was transformative precision to what he put collectively.
The Night’s Candy Crescendo
Because the night progressed, our Jungle Villa advanced past a mere backdrop, turning into a part of the expertise itself. The semi-exposed outside kitchen couldn’t have been extra applicable for a meal whose affect engulfed us. I’d give something to be again in that dimly lit house, sounds of jungle birds harmonising with our dialog and wealthy laughter, the place time stood fully nonetheless.
The evening concluded with prosecco and crispy churros dusted with cinnamon sugar and a beneficiant coating of artisanal chocolate sauce. What a option to full the night.
Chef Machaki’s ambition extends past creating memorable meals. He needs to nourish folks within the truest sense, prioritising vitamin as a lot as flavour. This philosophy aligns seamlessly with UNEM’s deeper mission, the place feeding the physique and soul turns into indistinguishable.
Reserving Your UNEM Expertise
Eating at UNEM gives exceptional flexibility, with choices spanning all the things from intimate night experiences to informal daytime fare throughout a number of cuisines. For these in search of one thing fully bespoke, their culinary consultants can craft fully personalised menus tailor-made to your preferences. With infinitely customizable menus and providers, the chances really know no bounds. To make a reservation, go to https://unemchef.com/private-chef, or browse our Mexican Dinner Menu (1500MXN pp), full with elective lobster tail and tomahawk add-ons.
