Meet my friend & guest, Chef Luis Berrios, or as we all call him, "Luckie or Chef Luckie." His journey into the culinary world began when he was 13-years-old, scrubbing dishes over at the Mountain Side Inn in South Paterson. It was there that he started his connection with the art of cooking, guided by his grandmother's treasured recipes and wisdom.

Luckie's professional path really took off when he turned 34, & only seven years later, he's not just a Chef, he's an award-winning Chef. He has managed to open not one but three restaurants, & his Pride & Joy Suerte Food Truck!  You see, his motivation goes beyond just curating dishes. It's about infusing each creation with the same affection he grew up with. He is proud of where he comes from, often saying he's just a "kid from Union & Redwood" on the West side of Paterson.

His culinary skills aren't from some fancy culinary school, but rather, they were nurtured through hard work and determination. Those early days of washing dishes? They were the building blocks of his journey. His grandmother Maria C. Aponte's recipes and his mother Nidia Rodriguez's Puerto Rican dishes were his foundation.

He really honed in on his craft under Chef Toni Park, at The Brownstone in Paterson, where he served Berkeley College Students. He also transformed Bar food to the level of gourmet food over at The Huddle Sports Bar & Grill in Nutley, NJ. To then cater an unforgettable wedding dinner for over 200 guests in NYC.

So, what sets him apart? Luckie's style is a beautiful fusion of Latin American flavors that he's been perfecting over the years. And all of this comes from a place of dedication, love, and a whole lot of passion.

Aside from all of this he is also working on launching a Coaching Program, as he is very passionate about mentoring others who share his love for the culinary arts business, & is finalizing his first book, to be published soon, so Stay Tuned!

Follow Chef Luckie on Instagram at @itschefluckie