Hey, I’m Chef Julio Nascimento. I’m an expressive, stylish and respected chef. I help people who love to entertain by planning, cooking, serving and cleaning up so that they can have a memorable, unique and stress-free party.
Some people call me The Performer because I’m a vibrant entertainer who charms and engages those around me. I’m warm and have a contagious enthusiasm for life. I have a playful, sense of humor and like to draw out other people to help them have a good time.
My Impressive Credentials
- I’ve got two diplomas in Culinary Arts from Germany and the USA studying under the direction of two Master Chef’s
- I received the Presidential Award from the Los Angeles Culinary Institute (it’s like the Academy Awards of Culinary Schools – it’s is the highest award given)
- I’ve planned and implemented events for as small as a romantic dinner for 2 to as large as 2500 people grilling on the beach
- I’ve served several public figures, but have Confidentiality clauses with most of them
- I have a ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification (this means that I know how to store & cook food safely)
- I’ve been in the food industry since 1977
- I’ve owned two successful restaurants in Europe
- I was the Executive Chef at Ragazzi Ristorante in Long Beach
- I worked on the 6-star cruise liner Crystal Cruises as the Captain’s Waiter
- I worked on the 5 star cruise liner Royal Caribbean
- I am a former member of the United States Personal Chef National Advisory Council
And when I’m not cooking and blogging, I can be found playing with my twin boy/girl little kids, texting my 20-something daughter in Portugal, working out like a competitive maniac and smashing a badminton shuttlecock.
My twins
My daughter the bride
Chef Julio Workout
Badminton smash
If you’ve just GOT to know more, read on. I’ll pretend you’re Barbara Walters, and spill some secrets. 😉
- I’m a Portuguese (from Portugal) native that immigrated to the US in 1998
- I was in the Portuguese Army for 18 months
- I speak Portuguese (duh), French, Spanish, German and of course… English
- My super smart wife helped me identify my core values, which are… 1-Family means oxygen, 2-Love means God & Jesus, 3-Respect means follow the rules, 4-Happiness means harmony, 5-Discipline means never give up
- My Strength Finders 2.0 are Adaptability, Woo, Includer, Restorative and Belief – these are wrapped around the Relationships and Executing themes – I’m not surprised since I love to connect with people and achieve goals!
- I was the National European Badminton Champion three years in a row (now you know why I still play)
- I can’t watch movies about kids getting hurt anymore – I get too angry and take it personally
- I have a Krispy Kreme doughnut addiction occasionally – I buy them in cash so my wife doesn’t know – see real secrets 😉
- I work out like a competitive maniac and sometimes get injured – but it’s really to allow me to be able to eat anything I want (like doughnuts) and still stay fit
Secret Doughnut – shhh don’t tell