At Pikaia Lodge, the Galápagos is not only experienced through the landscapes outside the window. It can also be found at the table, in the ingredients, the flavors, and the ceramics created to serve them. Led by Executive Chef Cristian Puente, the Pikaia team took part in a series of ceramic workshops at Innato Taller in Puerto Ayora, working alongside local artist Andrea Andrade to create pieces inspired by the islands.
The initiative brought together 23 staff members for a hands on creative experience. Chef Cristian first worked with Andrea to develop the designs, which the team then learned to recreate themselves. The concept was rooted in a simple idea: “We wanted to use local forms, colors, and materials as inspiration, creating pieces that reflect the landscape and identity of the Galápagos.” Rather than simply creating functional tableware, the team explored how the islands could be translated into shape, texture, color, and movement.
For Cristian, the connection between food and the materials surrounding it is fundamental to the dining experience. “Just as important as the ingredients we cook with are the materials we use to serve the food. Local clays and earth have traditionally been used to create utensils, while plants and insects provided natural dyes and colors. Tableware goes beyond its practical purpose. It becomes part of the composition and the dining experience, responding to the needs of modern cuisine and the creativity of the chef.”
Each piece carries its own interpretation of place. The Santa Cruz plate takes the shape of the island itself, with a raised section representing the location of Puerto Ayora and highlighting the more populated area of the island. The Flor plate draws from the movement of the ocean, combining a blue base with white edges that evoke waves and the changing forms of the sea. Even the butter dish has a connection to its surroundings, inspired by the earthy terracotta tones found throughout Pikaia's grounds.
The experience was also about bringing people together. Working with clay required patience, attention, and a willingness to experiment. For a team accustomed to the rhythm and precision of a restaurant, stepping away from the kitchen and working with their hands created a different kind of collaboration. The result was not only a collection of unique pieces, but an experience shared across the Evolution by Pikaia team.
The ceramics are part of a broader effort to bring local craftsmanship into the Pikaia experience. Other pieces have been created independently by Chef Cristian in collaboration with Ecuadorian ceramic artists. The Bartolomé plate, created with artist Soroche, draws inspiration from the underwater volcanic craters of the island and the contrast between dark volcanic terrain and the surrounding turquoise water. Pikaia's Boutique also features handcrafted ceramics, including distinctive cups finished with gold rims, created as both functional objects and artisanal pieces to take home.
From the restaurant to the Boutique, these ceramics offer another way to experience the Galápagos. Each form, color, and texture carries a connection to the islands, while each handcrafted piece reflects the creativity of the people who bring the Pikaia experience to life.
At Evolution, the story of the Galápagos does not stop at the edge of the plate. Sometimes, it is the plate itself.
