Chef Larry, a Certified Executive Chef brings more than 40 years of experience as chef, culinary educator, media personality, consultant and restaurateur to “America’s Finest City”. A familiar face, he appeared on ABC / KGTV Channels 10 and 15 with his popular cooking segments and hosted / produced “The County Cooks with Chef Larry” and “Chef Larry’s Cuisine” cooking shows for CTN and Time Warner television. He has appeared nationally on VH1’s “The Fabulous Life of Michael Jackson”, The Food Network’s “Roker on The Road” and on “Barbecue America” for KPBS. Internationally he has appeared on ABS-CBN and GMA TV in the Philippines. A true culinary “ambassador”, Chef Larry was heard around the world on his popular radio program, “The Chef Larry Show” on World Talk Radio and hosted local radio shows on Clear Channel and Broadcast Companies of America networks. Chef Larry has also has written a weekly food column for the Asian Reader.

Internationally recognized for his culinary accomplishments, Chef Larry was a member of the 1988, 1992 and 1996 U.S.A. Culinary Teams, winning three gold medals and a special “cloverleaf” award at the world’s most prestigious cooking competition, the “Culinary Olympics”. Chef Larry has served as Executive Chef / Food and Beverage Director for many destination hotels including the Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines, The Disneyland Hotel, The Queen Mary, and recently served as chef for NFL team owner Dean Spanos. He was named “Chef of the Year” by the American Culinary Federation Orange Empire Chef Association. He has cooked for numerous celebrities and dignitaries including superstar Michael Jackson, The Sultan of Brunei, entertainers Brian McKnight and Lea Salonga and Philippine Presidents Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Joseph Estrada. In demand as a speaker and consultant, Chef Larry has worked with many national restaurant chains and foodservice companies. His published work includes “New Currents in American Cuisine: Cooking with Team USA”, “Kochkunst in Bildern III & IV” and “The New American Barbecue” video / recipe book with Emeril Lagasse and Bobby Flay.  

As guest chef of Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, Asia’s premier luxury resort chain, Banares has showcased his signature cuisine at flagship hotels in Manila, Hong Kong and through-out Asia He is currently the executive chef of Viejas Casino and Resort.