Born in the Galápagos Islands, Ana Ortiz smiles when asked about her first bbq in the UK, an experience far removed from the weekend-long feasts cooked over fire at her family home. Cooking, for Ana, has always intertwined with a strong sense of family and community.
Tom is Ana’s business partner and husband. Tom attended LSE, the same university as Ana’s bother, and the pair met when Ana was in London visiting her brother. They have lived in Somerset, with their daughter, Isabella, for the last 17 years.
Beginning at a local farm shop, Ana went on to work at a French themed restaurant in Soho, before becoming head chef at the Pythouse Kitchen Garden restaurant, a sustainable, largely self-sufficient restaurant in Tisbury. It is here that Ana began to share her passion for fire cooking.
Fire Made followed soon after, starting with small cooking events and growing into a fire kitchen manufacturer as well. Today, Fire Made supplies equipment to restaurants all over the world.
Recent growth has not stopped Ana and Tom cooking. The pair still cater for all kinds of events, sharing the art of fire cooking.
We watched them prepare the BBQ, getting to know them throughout the day as they cooked over raw flames.
Tom wore the Thrigby Overshirt, Haddiscoe Gilet and Poringland Cap - seeing Vitae in its element meant a lot to the team. The collection was shot nearby in Salisbury, and has its roots firmly in the outdoors. Striking patterns are softened by warm autumn hues, and many of the fabrics are performance-driven, intertwining with and understanding the demands of nature.
