If you are reading this, it is because somehow we are connected. Pleasure to meet you; my name is Juan Pablo Valencia. Though I was born in Medellin, Colombia, I consider myself a citizen of the world. Cooking has been my passion for as long as I can recall, nurtured by watching my nana Lourdes pour her love into every dish she made for my family and me. This early exposure instilled in me a natural affinity for the culinary arts. However, my fascination with hospitality truly blossomed at the age of 16 when my father assumed the role of ambassador in New Zealand.

Hosting diplomatic events in our home became a source of joy and inspiration for me. I found myself captivated by every aspect - from the cooking and service to the etiquette and event planning. Witnessing our guests savoring those moments was the ultimate reward. After a few years, I found myself studying law... What? Law? Exactly. It didn't make sense at all. So I packed my bags and moved to the USA to pursue my dream of becoming a chef and working in the hospitality field. And I did it! I enrolled in Culinary Arts at Johnson And Wales, FL.

Today, after 25 years, I can say I have enjoyed every step of the way! It has been a wonderful journey, with lots of burns and cuts on my hands that tell great stories about my life as a cook, chef, employee, entrepreneur, partner, and most importantly, as a happy husband and proud father. Thank you for taking a little bit of your time to visit my page. It's truly an honor! On this site, you will discover insights into my work experience and philosophy through a collection of photos, quotes, and information about the places and people I've had the privilege to work with.

Salud y buen provecho!