Alex Garcia (chef)

Alex Garcia is a Nuevo Latino chef who helped popularize a version of Cuban food at several New York City restaurants and on the Food Network. After spending a few years working as a waiter, Alex attended Northeastern University in Massachusetts where he earned a degree in hotel and restaurant management. He later attended the Culinary Institute of America, and Florida International University. Alex worked alongside famed Nuevo Cuban chef Douglas Rodriguez for four years at Yuca restaurant in Miami. Garcia's work in New York has included stints at Erizo Latino in Soho, Babalu, Patria, and Calle Ocho (restaurant).

His first cookbook, "In a Cuban Kitchen" (ISBN 0-7624-1541-X ), was published in September 2004 in the United States and in England. Garcia's career suffered a setback in 2003 when he and 17 co-defendants were indicted in federal district court in Brooklyn and charged with conspiracy and money laundering in connection with a drug ring that authorities say imported thousands of pounds of cocaine over a two-year period. [(Source: New York Times, November 19, 2003). [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=980DEEDC1F38F93AA25752C1A9659C8B63] ] Garcia was sentenced to probation and one year of weekends.

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