Chef, Creator & Culinary Artist

My name is Sander van Kints, a chef, creator, and lifelong artist. I’ve spent over four decades exploring cuisines, cultures, and craftsmanship around the world, and today I bring that experience to private chef services and villa dining in Aruba.

After training in French culinary arts in the Netherlands, I moved to Aruba in 1988 and went on to lead the kitchens of many of the island’s most respected restaurants. My career later took me through Europe, Spain, and Brazil, where I combined fine dining techniques with bold local flavors and even opened my own restaurant in the Brazilian jungle.

Returning to Aruba, I introduced wood-fired grilling with Yemanja Restaurant, followed by The Kitchen, now known as Aruba’s largest lunch buffet. Each concept was built with my hands — from the food to the furniture.

Today, through Villa Eats, I focus on what I love most: cooking meaningful meals for people in beautiful places. Whether it’s an upscale private chef dinner at your vacation villa or a relaxed family-style experience, my goal is always the same — honest food, crafted with care.

Alongside me is Pablo Aguirre, a talented chef originally from Cali, Colombia. Pablo studied culinary arts in Colombia before moving to Aruba, where he gained valuable experience working at The Ritz-Carlton Aruba. His passion, skill, and leadership later brought him to The Kitchen Wood Fired Grill & Caribbean Buffet, where he became head chef and played a key role in shaping the restaurant’s success.

Over the years, Pablo and I built a strong professional partnership and friendship. During a pivotal moment for the business, he stepped in as partner and co-owner, helping guide The Kitchen and Villa Eats into their next chapter. Today, Pablo continues to be an essential part of our culinary team, bringing depth, consistency, and his Colombian and international influences to everything we create.