From 9A to 9A-Hector’s to Fermento
9A is the house number where I started my previous restaurant in 2007 across from La Merced Church on 1st Calle. It had no name, let alone a sign on the wall. Some people called it Hector’s and some others called it simply 9A. Five years later I sold it and the new owners finally put a sign on the wall and called it officially Hector’s. My legacy still lives on but now in a different location. The new owners are doing a great job carrying the torch. I went away to cook on private yachts and finally on a private island in the Bahamas. When I had enough of that I came back home and opened Fermento. As fate would have it the house I found for Fermento is now on 1st again, but 1st Avenida, not 1st Calle. Guess what the house number is. 9A again! What are the odds? I guess I didn’t find the house but the house found me.
In the last four years since Fermento opened doors to the public there have been quite a few stories to tell. Ups and downs, lessons learned, hardships and blessings, friendships lost, friendships found and some special friendships cultivated even further. Much has been achieved in the process so far. Amen for all that. These last four years have been definitely a challenge and a test, to say the least. Looking back at how we survived those awful months, although we laugh about it now, it was no joke.
The last hurdle took me over a year to navigate, negotiate and finally dominate. None of it could have been possible without the divine intervention of people who have been angels in our path. Angels that have guided us and have open the doors that needed to be opened at the precise moment for this to happen. They did it because they believe in Fermento and what it stands for. Diving head first into the unknown can be scary but we do it anyway because it’s the only way to achieve something worth telling. I look back at how it all started years ago in that tiny place across from la Merced, and now at this huge accomplishment, at this milestone that assures the permanence of Fermento in this new 9A. Now I know that all that blood, sweat and tears, all that heart and soul invested was not in vain.
As much as Fermento is earning its rightful place and recognition, by many accounts Fermento should not exist anymore. Yet, here we are well planted and stronger than ever. This new achievement changes everything and my energy and attention has been renewed. I am excited and grateful for the all the blessings the future will bring, as long as we continue to operate under the same good and noble intention.
I have always said since the inception of Fermento that I was not building just a restaurant. I am building an institution that is here to stay. Only time will tell if I will achieve just that.
If surviving the pandemic wasn’t enough of a minor miracle, being able to legally and financially assure the permanence of Fermento is definitely another minor miracle. One that calls for a proper celebration on our fourth anniversary on 9A again, and 9A for a long, long time to come. With much honour and pride I raise a glass to Fermento. Salud!
From 9A to 9A-Hector’s to Fermento
Written by Hector Castro
Fermento
1 Avenida Sur #9A
Tel:+502 7831-5799
