Experience delicacies that are brought to you from the love of my hometown, and different homes.

As I grew, I travelled and lived in many counttries And I learned the magic that made culture. Their ways of speaking, their music, art and truly their food. All of them connected and evolved everyone in ways that changed life. Communities. This wonderful ways of sharing and genuinely expressing was the root of anything new and as old as tradition that brings back that something special that shape us and guide us. I found home in every place I lived in. Making it a part of me. I was born in Ecuador and lived in Peru, Nicaragua and Mexico, until I found my way to Los Angeles at the age of 18, to pursue my dreams. Through the experience of a new culture in America, I was so ready and pleased to discover it and become a part of it. As I was loving it more and more, I found that my ways that had brought me here were also a gift, standing out in their ways. And that made me feel at home. I felt I was belonging in a place where I could be me, much more. Not just trying to learn more of what can I be, but also, share who I am, openly. Freely. I admired the way I was placed here. And as I toured the whole country playing Rock N' Roll with my band The Darbies, I opened my ways further and deeper into who I am. The Freedom had been truly felt, and given, always, supported by friends I truly relied on and that supported me for just being who I am. It made me fall into a deeper love, I had never knew, Self Love, my gratitude just overflew, tears that found their light from within me.

I was able to continue to live through times, enriching my soul with so much inspiration, endlessly growing,

and exploring new phases of my life. Becoming a stronger man. Through Love and pain, I've been able to find balance and truth with music, and arts. Bringing back to me, pieces of family, of childhood, of inner light and many times this was reflected through our food, always bringing a sense of connection with my brother, and my closest friends, as we share and imagine the unique wholesome dishes from our previous lands that would make us happy. In times of hunger, nothing felt more genuine. I also experienced new food that became excitingly special to me, here in Los Angeles. Mostly, I found the fresh fruits to be the best part. Natural groceries, with simple ingredients that were so vibrant, juicy and nourishing. I thought I could live of off fruits and vegetables, and in fact I did for a while. Inspired by the health of the body, I loved it. As I am curious of how our body works, and the chemistry and biology of things, I simply enjoyed feeling my body going through a detox, that totally worked, as I knew already that nature had the juiciest, cheapest, and filling food in store. I regained energy. After a couple of rough times, I am not gonna lie, where I had to learn to adapt and give to my body. I Took this and enjoyed the new heights I could be, through my body.

The world, I loved It and was an open playground. I enjoyed spending time playing music, skating, climbing, exploring. But as I continued to be a rockstar, I had to to admit that every venue had limited food, and pizza was our best friend. But I didn't give in to the norms, thankfully, when you are a rockstar, you do whatever you want. And I had my crew to support me, so we all pulled up with our ginger tea, bananas on deck, and peanut butter with oatmeal for days. We could actually party longer and recover quicker. At least responsibility, grants. 

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As I continued to live, through all experiences, it hit me that, Imagine if the world simply was more aware of the greatness in healthy food over fast, junk food. And, What if the world could experience the flavors of my hometown, so they can feel as eternally grateful as I feel. 

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And I started cooking. Sharing. Just letting the opportunities arise so I can make our nourishment. For us the family. Always grateful to do it, and curious too. Tasting as I go, bringing me grace and direction, as I liked to let my food show me how to cook, after I asked my mom everything I could about cooking. And trying it myself. I was also able to connect more into a new way of life, and with new people. That we could share this gifts together, empowering each other, and enjoying nature in new ways, like climbing a rock wall high from a running river, seeing the eagle fly right through the sun, reassuring me that I could do it, as I hanged from tiny rocks from the edge. And So, brings me back to now. As I have been going through a series of more life, finding myself in a place where only what I love truly will satisfy, and sharing my gifts, openly. As I have felt more into who I want to be and accept my dreams to be the reality of my life. I commit to this journey, that is born from way before I believed it. Deep inside my heart. Of sharing and preparing food that contains the pieces of our cultures, the juiciness and wellness of our nature, and the reason that makes our connecting and living together worth it. 

In all times,

when people feel hungry,

and desire more life

and when in honor of life we come together to praise,

in any case, we can partake on our sacred ways, when our food is sustained by nature and our cultures bring us home, empowering us, to continue. As there is many meals to have, and many occasions to celebrate and come together, and journeys to have, I promise you the right meal to conquer and a warmth that is sustained beyond the final flame of the kitchen. I promise you, my hands and heart into making your life moment more special. 

And I am so grateful to connect with you. May we empower who we are, and feast our hearts aways. 

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- Chef and Founder Nico

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Los Angeles

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