Paulson Puerto Rico is proud to announce that Chef Juan José Cuevas, Executive Chef at the Condado Vanderbilt Hotel and its fine dining restaurant, 1919, has been honored with the prestigious Culinary Arts Scholarship that will bear his name.
Chef Cuevas, who returned to Puerto Rico 13 years ago to take on his role at the luxurious hotel, boasts an outstanding career in some of the world’s top restaurants and has been awarded several prestigious Michelin stars. He is considered a pioneer of the farm-to-table concept on the Island, a culinary philosophy that promotes the use of sustainable, local, and seasonal ingredients.
It is due to his distinguished career, exceptional culinary skills, commitment to local producers, and strong belief in education that the Juan José Cuevas Scholarship has been established. This dedication, awarded by the Ana G. Méndez University and its José A. “Tony” Santana School of Hospitality and Culinary Arts, celebrates his dedication and achievements in the culinary field.
“This recognition for Chef Cuevas is well-deserved as we witness his daily pursuit of high standards and his constant focus on excellence,” said Ben Tutt, managing partner of The Condado Collection. José F. Méndez Méndez, president of Ana G. Méndez University, added, “Our School of Hospitality and Culinary Arts stands out not only for its cutting-edge facilities but also for the talent and dedication of our students. For this reason, we continue to strengthen our scholarship fund. I am immensely grateful to Chef Juan José Cuevas for accepting our invitation to contribute his talent to the development and growth of our students.”
As part of the fundraising efforts, Ana G. Méndez University will host the Culinary Harvest – A Farm to Table Soirée with Chef Juan José Cuevas at the Condado Vanderbilt Hotel on Friday, August 9th. Demonstrating his commitment to training culinary professionals, Chef Cuevas selected two key figures he considers mentors, Chef Luz Ferreira and Chef Augusto Schreiner, to join him in designing and preparing the event’s menu. Additionally, he included eight prominent chefs who trained closely with him at the Condado Vanderbilt: Chef Natalia Rivera (La Concha Resort), Nasha Fondeur (Condado Collection), Christopher Vega (La Pícara), José Cruz (La Central), Carol Reyes (Bóveda), Cathy Bravo (Medalla Arena), Luis Castillo (El Jangiri), and Patrick Escobar (Instructor at Ana G. Méndez University). Tickets for the event can be purchased by contacting UAGM or visiting their website: https://www.uagm.edu/es/sobre-UAGM/calendario/culinary-harvest.
Food lovers from Puerto Rico and around the world flock to 1919 or the newly opened Marabar Caviar & Champagne Bar to indulge in the culinary delights created by Chef Juan José Cuevas, drawn by his unmatched ability to craft new dishes, showcasing his excellent technique and unwavering passion.
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