Chef Guillermo

Teaches at The Chopping Block Lincoln Square

Chef at The Chopping Block since: 2016

Favorite class to teach: Outdoor grilling classes because that means that it's not winter anymore!

Training/education: Culinary Arts - Escola Superior d'Hostaleria de Barcelona.

Cooking since: Professionally since 2001.

Favorite childhood food experience: Sunday lunches at Don Carlos and El Hispano (restaurants in Buenos Aires), eating escargot and frog legs with my family.

What made you want to become a chef? My passion for cooking, and the possibility of traveling that this profession gives to chefs.

What is your signature dish? I have more than one favorite dish. I'm partial to seafood in general, but specifically, I really enjoy cooking octopus, squid, and shellfish.

What are the 5 ingredients you can't live without? Onion, garlic, cooking wine, soy sauce and olive oil.

What do you love about cooking? I enjoy the whole process of cooking (from the planning to the physical act). When the results are positive and you can share them with people, it's very satisfying.

When you're creating a new recipe, what influences and inspires you? Curiosity, I guess. I like to cook with ingredients I've never worked with before or techniques I've never tried.