Braulio Bunay
River Dock
Chef Braulio Bunay, famously known as the “24k Chef,” was born in Ecuador and has over two decades of experience in the culinary world, specializing in modern American cuisine.
Chef Braulio’s passion for the culinary arts began early, inspired by his mother, who sold food on the streets to support their family. At the age... READ MORE
Chef Braulio Bunay, famously known as the “24k Chef,” was born in Ecuador and has over two decades of experience in the culinary world, specializing in modern American cuisine.
Chef Braulio’s passion for the culinary arts began early, inspired by his mother, who sold food on the streets to support their family. At the age of 17, he immigrated to the U.S., where he started his career as a dishwasher and pizza deliveryman in Times Square. Living in a small space provided by his family, he faced significant challenges but remained determined. While taking English classes during his free time, he realized his true calling was in the kitchen. The path ahead was difficult, but failure wasn’t an option—his family, and later his daughter Angela, whom he calls his “North Star,” were counting on him.
Chef Braulio found a mentor in Chef Patrick Nutti of Lavo New York, who played a pivotal role in his culinary journey. Despite initially being denied admission to the Institute of Culinary Education in New York City, Chef Braulio pursued his passion at the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, where he earned a degree in Culinary Arts, changing his life forever.
Over the years, Chef Braulio has worked in some of New York City’s finest restaurants, including Craft Bar, Sarabeth’s, Le Sirene, and Industry Kitchen. Specializing in American, European, and Latin cuisine, his innovative and flavorful dishes quickly gained attention. Before long, media outlets and celebrities were seeking out his unique culinary creations.
Chef Braulio is the inventor of the Guinness World-renowned 24k Pizza, as well as the Rainbow Candy Land (Unicorn) Pizza and Dorito Pizza. His creations have been featured in numerous articles and media outlets worldwide, including CNBC’s *Secret Lives of the Super Rich* with Robert Frank, WNBC New York, CBS News, J-14, Forbes, Cosmopolitan, Indian Express, Telemundo, Univision, and Ecuavisa TV Ecuador. Other features include *Vogue*, *GQ*, *Town & Country*, *The Daily Mail UK*, *Men’s Journal*, *Food & Wine*, *Time Magazine*, and *NY Post*, among many others. He has also made multiple appearances on American networks such as Bravo TV, Buzzfeed, Cheddar, NBC, BET Network, and Hola TV.
In addition to his media presence, Chef Braulio has co-founded several notable ventures, including River Dock Café in Staten Island, Liberty Eatery at Newark Airport, and Hunger by 24k Chef in New Jersey. These establishments reflect his commitment to delivering imaginative and exceptional dishes while expanding his influence in the gourmet food industry.
Looking ahead, Chef Braulio envisions opening new restaurants that celebrate the diversity of New York, aiming to bring the community together through his culinary creations. His goal is to revolutionize the restaurant industry with his creativity and one-of-a-kind concepts.
Beyond his culinary achievements, Chef Braulio is deeply committed to giving back. He donates food weekly to the Forest Avenue Pantry in Staten Island and supports local food banks. Additionally, 10% of the proceeds from every 24k Gold Pizza sold are donated to fight hunger and inspire young chefs around the world.
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