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Our story

From the streets of Latin America 

to the heart of Amsterdam

How it started

One vision,
one passion

Tom van den Broek’s journey with Caliente began with a love for food and a shared passion for Latin American culture, travel, and authentic flavors.

After years of working, cooking, and living in Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, Argentina, and Peru, the idea of bringing a true taste of Latin America to Amsterdam took shape.

What started as a bold idea soon became Caliente, a brand dedicated to serving authentic dishes while staying true to their origins.

Journey

Staying true
to our roots

From a single food truck to a thriving restaurant and catering business, our passion, authenticity, and respect for tradition remain at the heart of everything we do.

With a diverse Latin team, a deep cultural connection, and fluency in Spanish and Portuguese, we bring not just food—but the true Latin experience.

Caliente is born

Hitting the road

Growth & expansion

The First Restaurant

Cantina Caliente Opens

Expanding the Experience

After years of working with top Latin American chefs, Tom returns to the Netherlands, teaming up with Maarten to launch Caliente Food. The vision? To share the best Latin American dishes with Amsterdam.

Starting with a single food truck, Caliente brings its flavors to festivals and events across the Netherlands and Belgium, quickly gaining a following.

Starting with a single food truck, they take their flavors to festivals and events across the Netherlands and Belgium, quickly gaining a following.

Starting with a single food truck, they take their flavors to festivals and events across the Netherlands and Belgium, quickly gaining a following.

We opened our second restaurant, Cantina Caliente, celebrating the vibrant and diverse flavors of Latin America in Amsterdam.

Caliente continues to grow, bringing Latin American flavors to major festivals, events and catering across the Netherlands and Belgium.

2015

2016

2017

2018

2020

2024