Today we’d like to introduce you to Javier Uriarte.
Hi Javier, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I started my career in Maryland at the age of 18 years old. I work at a fast-food place to pay for things like cell phones. Later I would work at higher-end jobs as a cook in MD and DC to pay for college. I never saw myself doing this as a career, but I knew I was good at it and enjoyed it. I had the opportunity to move to Columbia, SC. I started to work at this place in five points called Garibaldi’s (Italian American place), and at this point, I realized that I didn’t care much for school, and I was more intrigued with what this culinary scene might do for me. I decided to quit school and give the kitchen a full swing. The rest is history!
Alright, let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
Not smooth, by all means. I had to work very hard. I had to work harder than most because I did not attend culinary school. Therefore, I had to be that much better and more focused on what my skills provided. Not being from the South and the USA generally did not make things easy either. Trying to learn more culinary skills and pay my bills was difficult. At some point, I worked 2-3 jobs to learn and pay bills.
Thanks for sharing that. So, you could tell us a bit more about your work.
I am a chef. A specializes in making a Peruvian fusion food. I am very proud of being from Peru, so I make that a statement in the food at my restaurant. I want everyone to fall in love with the delicious food and learn about different cultures from my point of view. People must understand that we also do everything from scratch at the restaurant. We take a lot of pride in that. We arrive early to work and prep all day so our guests can have the best experience.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Most people are surprised by my age. I am 31 years old, and it catches people off guard when I tell them that I am the chef and owner of the restaurant. However, they are also very moved by how my family and I immigrated to this country and the struggles and hardships to where I am now.
Contact Info:
- Website: ratiorestaurant.com
- Instagram: ratiorestaurant
- Facebook: ratio restaurant
Image Credits
Lynn Luc
