Originally from San Juan, Puerto Rico, Hector Santiago is the chef and owner of Pura Vida, a Latino Tapas restaurant and bar. This graduate of the Culinary Institute of America says his favorite summer recipe is charcoal grilled skirt steak with a vegetable ceviche, with celery, radishes, and tomatoes. Hector has had two James Beard nominations for Best Chef, Southeast. His advocacy include raising cultural awareness of Latin American cuisine.