Our Story
Welcome to Ficoa, a culinary dream born from Patricia Toro’s heartfelt appreciation for food's power to bring people together, a sentiment deepened by cherished family memories and personal loss.
Driven by a vision to blend nutritious meals with the elegance of a beautiful dining experience, Patricia created Ficoa, named as a loving tribute to her childhood neighbourhood in Ambato, Ecuador.
Here, we celebrate neo-Latin cuisine with a steadfast commitment to sustainability, using the freshest local ingredients to support local businesses and focusing on every visit feeling like a warm, personalized experience, making you feel part of our family.
Leading our kitchen is Chef Esau Garcia, whose culinary journey began at a young age in Camargo, Chihuahua, northern Mexico.
Chef Esau Garcia found his calling in the kitchen from a young age. Inspired by the flavours of his upbringing and the cultural depth of Mexican cuisine, he has cultivated more than 13 years of experience, shaped by a passion for tradition, flavour, and craft.
Esau’s career took a defining turn at Totti’s in Australia, where he honed his technique working with wood-fired cooking and modern classics, developing a disciplined yet creative approach to food. He later brought this perspective to Canada, working in celebrated Toronto kitchens, including Rosalinda, Lena, and Madrina Bar y Tapas, as Chef de Cuisine.
His cooking philosophy is simple: respect the ingredients, honour tradition, and elevate the plate. With a refined yet soulful style, Chef Esau reimagines fine dining through the lens of Latin America, offering bold, elegant, and grounded dishes rooted in memory. Come to Ficoa, to feel South America’s colours and stories through our plates.