Welcome to The Food Experience: an ongoing conversation on food, culture, and passion. Featuring Muna Coterie chefs, catering companies, bakers, and special guests from the culinary world.
Passion for rich flavors, culture, and delicious food creations is what we’re all about here at The Food Experience! And Juan Hernandez and his team of culinary creatives at Delivering Experiences are experts in delivering luxurious and unique culinary events!
Born and raised in Colombia, Juan grew up watching his mother in the kitchen. “My mom used to be a caterer as well,” he shares. “She loved cooking and I used to spend hours with her in the kitchen.”
These early childhood memories sparked his love for the culinary world and at only 16 years old, his passions were fully realized when he ran his first food business (a small fast food store) in Colombia. “That’s when I realized this was going to be my profession.”
While living in Colombia, Juan went on to study Hotel Management, attended culinary school, and worked in the hospitality industry for 25 years managing hotels, food and beverage departments, high-end banquets, and more.
After moving to the United States 8 years ago, he faced unexpected challenges.
Juan recalls, “I was willing to continue working in the same industry, but lots of opportunities got denied, so I decided to start my own business. And then Delivering Experiences was born in September 2018.”
With a focus on highlighting Latin cuisine and providing excellent customer service, Juan’s determination, creativity, and perseverance have propelled Delivering Experiences to be one of the top catering companies servicing New York and the Tristate area. As a Muna Coterie member, we are so proud to have Juan and his team be a part of our community!
Keep reading below for our exclusive interview with Juan Hernandez about his company, Delivering Experiences, and more on his journey into the culinary world.
- Owner: Juan Hernandez
- Featured Company: Delivering Experiences LLC
- Series: The Food Experience
After a lot of research, me and my partner noticed that there was a lack of a high-end catering businesses focusing on or highlighting Latin Cuisine and we decided to bring Latin food to a different level, combining different flavors, cuisines around the world and techniques, but always with a Latin influence.
– Juan Hernandez of Delivering Experiences LLC
When did you first realize your passion for food/cooking? Was there a specific moment that catapulted you into the culinary world?
Since I was a kid, my mom used to be a caterer as well, and she loved cooking. So I used to spend hours with her in the kitchen. I realized I loved the culinary world when I was 16 years old. I got my first food business in Colombia (I had a small, fast food store) so I realized that was going to be my profession.
What makes your catering company, Delivering Experiences, unique?
We are food lovers driven by a passion that brings dynamic, engaging, and unique flavors to guests and will create a unique personalized menu that represents the client and will take their guests through a cultural food journey.
Our cuisine sets us apart since it is modern, innovative, and creative. We keep changing the menu and we are not a cookie-cutter catering company. Besides that, we personalized all our events to give them the flair the client is looking for, so all of our events are completely different and unique.
We also take pride when presenting the food in non-traditional ways, and also provide a very personable service and that makes a huge difference.
What was your favorite dish to eat growing up?
To be honest, I love all the food! I have no specific preferences, but I will say when I was younger, Italian was one of my favorites. I also love Asian flavors. Peruvian is one of my favorites too.
What is your favorite dish to make today?
I love trying new dishes all the time and combining flavors. I guess the food world has NO limits. There are so many dishes you can prepare with basic ingredients. Cooking is more about creativity, and I personally love to keep trying new textures and mixing flavors to come out with different preparations.
How does culture influence your culinary creations?
Latin cuisine is rich in so many ingredients, versatile, and very well known for different colors, adobos, and textures so that we can get inspired. South America is also very diverse in terms of agriculture, exotic fruits, and vegetables that are only found over there.
What advice do you have for couples looking to incorporate their culture (or multiple cultures) into their wedding food offerings?
My advice is to go above and beyond, think outside the box, and serve your guests something different than the traditional catering menu. You want to impress your guests and want them raving about the food and the experience they had at your wedding. Serve a menu they will never forget.
What are your “key ingredients” for a successful catering event/wedding?
Dedication, passion, creativity, discipline, research, and of course, being surrounded by amazing staff who love what they do! We take every event as ours and give them the relevance they deserve.
How has becoming a Muna Coterie member helped your business grow?
It’s an excellent opportunity to network with fellow colleagues in the industry, and it’s helping us to get more exposure and, of course, inspiration.
So far, what catering trends are you observing for this Summer, and what are you predicting for the coming Fall/Winter seasons?
The summer months will bring locally sourced, organic, farm-to-table, fresh and seasonal ingredients, and comfort food that reminds you of your childhood or grandma’s recipes. Food stations are also very trendy. I predict food being presented in creative ways, with new flavors and combinations, eco-friendly vessels, and zero waste food.
What does the future hold for Delivering Experiences? Share any exciting updates, future events, or announcements we can look forward to!
We are taking our business to the next level constantly, and we are always bringing something new to each event, always improving our process and adding more details and exquisite touches.
Looking for more interviews like this one with Delivering Experiences?
Click here.
Vendors:
- Featured Catering Company: Delivering Experiences
- Cover photo – blue plate: Zani & Duwayne
- Appetizers on wood plating with purple flowers – Photographer: Eugene Krasnaok
- Dessert – Photographer: Strarlight Media Solutions
- All other images – Photographer: Daniel Serrette
Leave a Reply