The 29-year old Executive Chef and Owner of Laissez Faire Cuisine Internationale Restaurant in Mayagüez was the winner of the most important culinary competition in Latin America and the Caribbean
San Juan, Puerto Rico — Chef Christian Quiñones was the winner of MasterChef Latino culinary competition. Chef Christian is owner and Executive Chef at Laissez Faire Cuisine Internationale Restaurant located at McKinley 98, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. (Tel. 787-805-2400). MasterChef Latino is the largest culinary event in Latin America and the Caribbean. This year, 24 chefs from Puerto Rico were selected to participate in the competition, where Chef Christian Quiñones scored the highest. The finals were held at the Puerto Rico Convention Center in San Juan.
“I want to thank everyone who supported us during the weeks of this fierce competition. It’s a huge honor to have achieved the title of MasterChef Latino – Puerto Rico Edition 2012. I’m super proud of this achievement of our team of three chefs from western Puerto Rico, including my colleagues and friends Chef Pierre Saussy and Chef Jeremie Cruz. This award belongs to the western region and all of Puerto Rico and I’m super proud of what we accomplished together!,” said Chef Christian Quiñones. “It was also a great pleasure to share during these past weeks with my new friends and colleagues from the food industry and to have the opportunity to compete in a group of such talented people. Lots of success to all!” he added. “We are also very thankful to our family, friends, clients and staff at Laissez Faire Cuisine Internationale for their continuous support.”
Chef Christian Quiñones stands for innovation, creativity and mastery of the various cooking techniques, as well as for his passion, dedication and professional humility. He studied restaurant management and culinary sciences at Florida Culinary Institute in West Palm Beach, Florida. He also earned a degree in culinary sciences from the Escuela Hotelera de San Juan. Also attends ongoing training in culinary arts and winemaking at the Centro de Estudios Superiores de San Angel in Mexico City. Chef Christian has worked with world renowned chefs, among them: Alain Alegretti, Mollie (Oprah Winfrey’s chef) and Jean George Vongerichten. He has cooked for special guests including: the Princess of Jordan and the Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson. Has also worked at the Palm Beach International Polo Club, the largest polo club in North America, and Mar-A-Lago Resort, which belongs to businessman Donald Trump. He was part of the culinary team that prepared the wedding dinner for Melanie and Donald Trump. Chef Chrisitna Christian won the bronze medal at the Orlando Restaurant Show, representing the American Culinary Federation. He has been special guest at the television program “Cocinando con José” at La Familia Network. He also represented Puerto Rico and the Caribbean at the Commis Jeunne Competition of La Chaine des Rotisseurs. He was named one of the Top 3 Young Chefs of Puerto Rico by El Nuevo Día newspaper. He was also recipient of the Chef of the Year 2010 award given by the Club de Oficinistas de Mayagüez, Puerto Rico.
Laissez Faire Cuisine Internationale offers a unique and innovative creative menu designed by Chef Christian Quiñones. Open for lunch Mondays through Fridays from 11:30 AM to 3:30 PM. Dinner is served on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 6:00 to 10:00 PM. From 10:00 PM, the restaurant offers tapas, wines and drinks in a chic lounge atmosphere to be enjoyed until midnight. Laissez Faire Cuisine Internationale is located at McKinley 98, Mayagüez, in the western region of Puerto Rico. Free parking. Tel. 787-805-2400. Facebook: Laissez Faire Cuisine Internationale by Chef Christian Quiñones.