Chef Chris V

Chef Chris grew up in the heart of Jersey—born in Jersey City and raised in Bayonne—while spending plenty of time bouncing between New Jersey and Ecuador.

His culinary journey kicked off in his grandmother’s kitchen in Philly, where he watched her whip up incredible Ecuadorian dishes with love and skill. High school brought more inspiration through his culinary program and mentor, Mr. B, and from there, Chris was hooked.

Chris has worked in some truly impressive kitchens, including the Charlie Palmer Restaurant Group and Halifax in Hoboken. Under the guidance of culinary powerhouse Seadon Shouse, Chris honed his skills with French techniques and experimental Asian fusion flavors, gaining the confidence to explore new ideas while staying true to his roots. And let’s not forget his brush with fame—he’s cooked for Joe Budden, Jesse Eisenberg, the entire Red Bulls soccer team, and even the head coach of the Giants, Brian Daboll.

For Chris, cooking is more than just making great food—it’s an act of kindness, a way to show care without words. One of his most memorable kitchen moments came during a tough breakup when he was working as a breakfast cook at "The W" in Hoboken. Pouring his emotions into his “depression pancakes” and “eggs bene-grief,” he realized something profound when his chef praised his work: the best food carries intention and heart—just like a great breakup song.

When it comes to his favorite flavors, Chris’s heart sings in perfect harmony. Asian cuisine has him hitting those falsetto notes, Italian food channels his inner Jersey boy soprano, and the Latino flavors of his heritage keep everything beautifully in tune. His culinary curiosity has taken him on late-night food adventures in Manhattan and inspired a piece of advice he’ll never forget from a chef at Talde: “Just trying food isn’t enough—travel to where the food comes from. Food isn’t just sustenance; it’s a way of life.”

When he’s not dreaming up new recipes, you’ll likely find him convincing his wife to hit up a Korean restaurant or rallying his friends for a few rounds of volleyball. And when it’s time to unwind? Nothing beats a beach bonfire and some Filipino-style BBQ chicken in Surigao, one of his favorite places in the world.