Don't be afraid to adapt new ingredients into your own techniques, and traditional ingredients into new recipes.

My family came from Ecuador.

I think that a lot of us at home are iron chefs in their own right in that we have to come up with meals real quickly.

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.

Don't be afraid to adapt new ingredients into your own techniques, and traditional ingredients into new recipes.

There a great ethnic cuisine available to you in Chicago.

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