EVENTS: THE ICONOCLAST DINNER CULINARY HONOREE

instagram: @Cocinero101

pronouns: he/him/his

EDUCATION: Escuela Hotelera De San Juan

PREVIOUS: Hotel Condado Vanderbilt (San Juan) Wilo Eatery & Bar (Guaynabo)

CURRENTLY: La Pícara (San Juan)

WHY HE IS AMAZING: Upon graduating from culinary school, Christopher began working at Condado Vanderbilt Hotel under one of Puerto Rico’s most lauded chefs, Juan Jose Cuevas, who oversees the dining room at 1919 Restaurant. During his time there, Chris had the opportunity to experience the breadth of the Condado Vanderbilt’s culinary establishments, including Ola Ocean Front Bistro and 1919 Restaurant. In the Summer of 2014, he was part of Puerto Rico’s Culinary Team with colleagues Luis Castillo, Raul Correa, Mizraim Melendez, and Elvin Rosado. The team won a gold medal in the “Taste of the Caribbean” competition in Miami. In the summer of 2015, Christopher trained under Chef Victor Martin at his 1-Michelin Star restaurant, Trigo, in Valladolid, Spain. In 2018 Vega was part of the opening team of Wilo Eatery and Bar Restaurant, a concept from internationally renowned chef Wilo Benet. Vega became the culinary administrator of the restaurant until 2021. In the fall of 2021 he became Chef de Cuisine and partner of Chef Xiomara Marquez’ new kid on the block in Santurce; La Picara Restaurant. La Picara offers a Spanish-based menu with an international food-twist and ingredients sourced directly from local farms.

LAST NIGHT ON EARTH HE’S EATING: With his family at his grandmother’s house.