I have experienced a tremendous amount of personal and professional growth, and I feel incredibly lucky that I'm able to make a career out of doing the things that I love.

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.

I studied cooking in Spain after college.

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

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.

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

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