Meet Chef Ben Quiñones: Chef de Cuisine at The Laurita Group

 The first time I fell in love with cooking and community. It was a Sunday, before church and I was in charge of eggs while my dad made waffles and my mom heated the maple syrup with butter on the stove. My first food review besides my mother and grandmothers was a woman named DeeDee Alexander. Now 90, she still calls my mom and reminds her that at the age of 11, I made her the best eggs she ever had.  It was the joy in her voice and the expression of satisfaction I saw in every bite.  It was also the first time I fell in love with cooking and community.

Since I was a small child, I loved to be in the kitchen with my mother and father. My dad would be making bread and my mom would be making something on the stove. From my vantage point , everything was right in the world and this type of peace and love felt right. Summers with both sets of my grandparents. Each pair showing me how to create lasting experiences through food. The stories behind each dish created an adventure. My memories of cooking with and observing them cook embodied love and a passion unmatched to this day. Why not become a chef?!

Food is my love language. By creating cuisine, community is formed and life changing experiences & conversations occur. To me, food is universal. My travels throughout the world have taught me that to touch someone's soul and feel authentic joy and love is through food. I have cooked alongside some of the most dynamic chefs the world has never heard of.  From my grandmother to my Moroccan instructor who only pointed and smiled when I did well, I have learned that this type of love is all you need.

Final Thought... ”Love whatever you do on a full stomach and a smile. 

The best is yet to come.”

Come enjoy sumptuous foods and a finger-licking good time with Ben at The Laurita Group's next Boozy Brunch, featuring a 3-course Latino Menu, Saturday, May 11!