Jaime “Jimmy” Martin has written that it would be an honour for him to establish a long overdue National Bailliage of the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs in Panama.

He continued, “Since the mid 1970’s I have known about this organization, having dined at restaurants with the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs logo in Hong Kong and throughout Europe. Later my father became a member of the Bailliage of Hong Kong when we lived there.”

He learned there had been a Chaîne presence in Panama but it had faded away. Today, Panama City has become a tourism destination and its gastronomy offerings are worthy competition for any city in the region. With 500 years of Spanish influence and over 100 years of French culinary influence since Ferdinand de Lesseps arrival in Panama in 1879 Panama has ingredients yet to be discovered. It has many great chefs who are beginning to be noticed in the global culinary arena.

Having experience in the restaurant business and contacts in the hospitality sector Jaime sees an opportunity to create a special Bailliage of the Chaîne in this part of the world.

About Jaime "Jimmy" Martin
A Master’s in Business Administration from Loyola University in 1994 set the scene for his extensive experience within the corporate world including banking, international sales, airline industry, marketing and Panama Advisor to Secretary General, Ministry of Foreign Relations.

Since January 2022 “Jimmy” decided to become self-employed and set up Chiron Developments which provides business consulting for clients in tourism, restaurant and entertainment industries through development of business plans, finance solutions and execution of projects. He has published an historical fiction novel “The Panama Banker”, is working on a second novel and the screenplay of “The Panama Banker”.

About Panama
Panama, officially the Republic of Panama, is located in Latin America at the southern end of Central America. Costa Rica to the west, Colombia to the southeast, the Caribbean Sea to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the south form its borders. Its capital and largest city is Panama City whose metropolitan area is home to nearly half of the country’s over 4 million inhabitants.

Panama's cultural heritage is influenced by many ethnicities. The traditional cuisine of the country includes ingredients from many cultures worldwide: a mix of African, Spanish, and Native American techniques, dishes, and ingredients, reflecting its diverse population. A land bridge between two continents, Panama has a large variety of tropical fruits, vegetables and herbs used in local cooking.

The famous “Mercado de Mariscos” fish market offers fresh seafood. Treat yourself to empanada and pastelito, typical Latin American pastries. which include a variety of different ingredients, either with meat or vegetarian, mostly fried from small shops (kiosco).

Typical Panamanian foods are mild-flavoured, without the pungency of some of Panama’s Latin American and Caribbean neighbours. Common ingredients are maize, rice, wheat flour, plantains, yuca (cassava), beef, chicken, pork and seafood.

Prepared by a Chaîne News Online Staff Writer
Researched from various sources. E&OE