Steve Cruz

Chef Steve Cruz is a Queens native whose passion for cooking began at an early age, inspired by his grandmother’s home cooking and hospitality. After graduating from John Bowne High School in Flushing, Queens, he pursued his culinary education at the Art Institute of New York, earning a degree in Culinary Arts and Restaurant Management.

Over the years, Chef Cruz gained extensive experience working throughout New York City’s diverse food scene, including restaurants, catering companies, private events, and hospitality management. In 2012, he became Executive Chef of The Orchard House on Manhattan’s Lower East Side, where his creative dishes earned recognition from media outlets including New York Magazine and CBS’s Dining Deals.

Drawing inspiration from his Colombian and Ecuadorian heritage, along with the culinary traditions of Mexico, Peru, Spain, and Cuba, Chef Cruz combines classical French techniques with bold Latin flavors. His approach focuses on fresh ingredients, balanced nutrition, and memorable presentations.Today, Chef Cruz operates a successful catering business while also leading two unique food concepts. Single Bites is a comfort food and street-food pop-up serving gourmet burgers, wings, fries, and other crowd favorites. Vegan Bites is his plant-based brand specializing in handcrafted vegan chocolate bars and sweet treats. Through every venture, Chef Cruz remains committed to creating flavorful, high-quality food that brings people together.