My family came from Ecuador.
Well, you know, for me, I think Spanish food is festive.
Don't be afraid to adapt new ingredients into your own techniques, and traditional ingredients into new recipes.
Some of the best cooks that I've cooked with, whether it's in New York or Chicago or even here in Philadelphia, are actually Ecuadorians. And there's something about their palates that really just inspires me, and has a really deep sense of flavor.
Chicago is a lot of my background as a chef.
There a great ethnic cuisine available to you in Chicago.