In August 2019, I signed a lease to an unlisted apartment that was under renovation here in Pittsburgh. I didn't know this at the time, but it was across the street from Primo Cuts, the only Puerto Rican barber shop in western PA.  One day, I went to get a haircut there and the topic of food came up, and they told me there weren’t any places to get authentic Boricua food.  This is where my cooking journey commenced. 

 

I began catering for a wide variety of events, and with the success I had, I built what began as a side hustle into a brand. I then started this food truck company with the support I had along the way.  My two biggest supporters are my grandparents, they taught me everything I know about cooking.  It was always their dream to have their own food spot, so I give back to them by serving their recipes on the food truck.  This food truck also is important to me because I can bring Latin community to an area lacking in cultural diversity. Secretos is more than a food truck to me and I’m excited to have others also experience it!

 

I also started a non-profit with my mother that will go hand-in-hand with the food truck. My sister, other family members, and friends will help my mother and I run it. This means the world to me because, despite the tragedies on the motherland, covid-19, and the overall hellish 2020 ,  we found a way to make things work.  It warms my heart to unite my family by providing jobs and shelter for us while we climb back, and to return the support that I have received back to the community.  My dream is to become a cardiovascular surgeon. Along the way, I’ve been fortunate to to capitalize on some things that I have been doing since I was young, like cooking.  I am eternally grateful to my grandparents who taught me the ways of Boriken cooking. My mother, who always believed in me and pushed me beyond my limits. My sister, who is a reflection of myself.  Truly thankful for my business partner, friends, allies, new and familiar faces in the city of Pittsburgh!