Meet Julio Vila | Cook / Baker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Julio Vila and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Julio, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
As a kid I always needed busy hands. At a young age I found myself with pencil to paper drawing everything I saw.. I always saw myself with artistic tendencies, that carried me over to the food realm. I saw how my mom spread love through her cooking and I wanted to do the same.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
The culinary profession is probably one of the hardest professions there is. , your body physically takes a beating of the seasoned athlete and mentally your beaten into submission because of the accelerated pace you bare for 10-12 hours a day. Those that chose the path do it out of love and passion no one would rightfully except torture if not having it. One of the very few professors where you build a brotherhood along the way.
I have learned that it’s a given in this professions that you are not going to please everyone all the time and that’s alright and that you need to learn something new everyday to continue to grow, lastly always be willing to turn around and reach out to the person behind you because you never know when that person my be ahead of you.

I presently spend my time teaching people privately how to cook and also providing meal prep services to people following lifestyle changes.

What moves me the most today is being to spend time creating a cookie business for my daughter .
My daughter has Autism and from a young age she struggled with all aspects of life. We were told by doctors she never walk or talk. .How wrong they were today she is a High school graduate on the verge of starting a pastry arts program.
In the past year I have become a baker studying the science of leavening and cookie creating several pounds later I have developed many knew original recipes for some outstanding cookies

I see that gleam and passion in my daughters eyes that I saw in myself with the willingness to learn to fail and try again. It makes me proud to partner in her journey and do whatever I can to set her on the right path. and make her aware that if your are willing to put in the sacrifice,,cuts burns, sweats and tears your dreams are obtainable. and more importantly listen and no matter how successful take a vow of humbleness

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Oh where do I start. You got to start in Miami Beach and take in the views in Ocean Drive with a cleansing in the clear blue waters followed by a drink or two at my favorite watering whole Club Deuce. . We move on to where else than Calle Ocho for the “Best Cuban Sandwich in Miami at Sanguiche . We than walk down the street for a mojito at Ball and Chain my second favorite watering whole. We burn some calories while there moving are hips to the sound of the mambo beats. We then go around the corner to Azúcar ice cream parlor for a tropical treat like you have never had before .

We know go the the quaint old charm city of Coral Gables to visit an OG Cuban bakery called “ El Brazo Fuerte” some of the best Cuban pastries and desserts in town. .Now we go Miami nostalgic to Bird Rd to Arbettera for the best chilli dog outside of NYC. You must leave room for a slice of pepperoni pizza from Frankies from across the street
Still got room travel further north to Kendall to a restaurant called Isla Canaries for the award winning meat sticks with there own secret spice blends. The best croquetas in town

You can’t miss the eats in Coconut Grove great walking town with something to eat in every corner. Saturday you got the best healthy for you market in Glazers Market.. On main street at Chugs Diner what a Cuban Diner would look like in the 50’s. You got some great breakfast sandwiches and pastilitos papi pastry’s my favorite guava and peanut butter.. Need a second cup of joe hit Panthers coffee across the street, if your sweet tooth still needs some taming walk down to Derek’s cake shop cake by the slice one may not suffice.
You cannot come to Miami and not try the Cuban fare and natural juices at “ “El Palacio de lo juegos”. Massive servings of rice, beans and pork and all other Cuban dishes
You can’t come to Miami and not experience one of the great wonders of the USA the Florida Keys. 3.5 hours from Miami Key West. Eat some of the freshest fish you ever had. . After you visit Hemingway’s house and petted a three tie cat take a ride to Stock Island and visit Hogfish Bar and grill best fish shack on the east coast. You can see the boats brining in the fresh fish as you order.. Great Hogfish Sandwich . I am out of gas hope you enjoyed my travels

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I am very blessed that on my pathway to success , I met great people along the way that offered me opportunity and education . In 2001 I befriended the owner of the famed “ La Caja China” roasting box. I became his Northeast distributor. in New Jersey.. As I sold these boxes people started asking me if I would cook a whole hog for them and there started my catering company. I met up with Mr Guerra at a James Beard foundation event in NYC on the roof of the Marriott Marquess were he had been invited to cook six whole pigs. He had asked me for a hand and I more than happily excepted. In turn for my help I was gifted a membership to the James Beard House foundation. The foundation holds dining events to allocate funds for culinary scholarships. As part of the membership you could volunteer in the kitchen and work with chefs from around the world. I jumped in to volunteer heads first and received a exchange of labor for education which I did for 9 years and it provided me the first hand knowledge which made me the cook I am today. I created so many bonds with great chefs that I would meat up and work with at special events.
One of my first mentors was Chef Adam Perry Lang of APL Barbecue . I have participated at the South Beach Wine and food festival for 20 years and 10 were Along Chef Lang. Who I learned so much from in patience , confidence and order in controlled chaos .

Instagram: grub305 /ev_delights

Image Credits
pictures were taken by my daughter Elora Vila