Chris Valdes is a well-known Miami culinary talent and TV personality. He’s been on the cover of countless South Florida magazines, appeared on over 100 television shows, was on 3 Food Network shows – Food Network Star (season 14 finalist), Chopped, and FN’s web-based show Star Salvation. He also co-hosted the ROKU original competition show !Que Delicioso.
The launch of his first cookbook, One With The Kitchen was featured on Good Morning America, Live with Kelly & Ryan. and Access Daily.
Raised in a Cuban family that owned several restaurants, Chris was a culinarian as a child. After school, he was his mom’s little sous chef. Always intrigued with Cuban spices and flavors, this later impacted his signature culinary style. Cooking with his mom became one of his favorite things to do… and so was watching Emeril Lagasse on TV. Chris was a die-hard fan and he dreamt of following in his hero’s culinary path.
But life wasn’t always easy for this budding chef. Chris’ father was incarcerated for 19 years and the family lost their home and restaurants. These adversities only fueled Chris’ desire to make something of himself. He was determined to be successful and perhaps even be the next Emeril Lagasse.
Chris’ calling as a professional chef became evident when he was awarded a $10,000 scholarship to the prestigious Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts. After graduating at just nineteen, Chris opened Chris Valdes Catering. Still a thriving business ten years later, Chef Valdes has worked with many major brands and big corporations like American Airlines, Neiman Marcus, Royal Caribbean, Regal Cinemas and Univision.
Giving back is important to Chris and he does so by mentoring future culinary stars around the country. He also has a powerful impact on the local Miami community by championing philanthropic causes for the American Liver Foundation and Chapman Partnership for the homeless.