As long as you remember what you love and why you love it, it will never be far from your heart - or your plate.

My family came from Ecuador.

I spent several years cooking on a line.

From the time I was 8 until now, I've been working. My Social Security is looking solid.

Being Ecuadorian is, I don't want to say it's tough but it's... something special to me.

Positivity, that's one of the things I try to spread throughout my company and really anyone I come in contact with. Because as you know, life's too short. You got to keep it positive and keep it fun.

If you were a Colombian, you would have your version of an empanada. If you are an Argentinean, you might find a dough that's baked and has a butter sheen on it. And then in Ecuador, you'll find more crispy-fried empanadas. So, yeah, every culture has their own version of empanadas.