Erik Lucas

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Location
Ithaca, NY
School
Fordham University, Boston University
Expertise
Restaurant & Catering Culture, Grocery Stores, Kitchen Equipment
  • Erik came up working in catering kitchens in New York City during the height of the farm-to-table movement of the mid-2000s and was in and out of the city's most swanky venues and private homes by night and visiting farms in the Hudson Valley by day.
  • From his late teens, his life has been a testament to his unwavering love for food and cooking. His home is a sanctuary of overflowing bookshelves and stacks of books, a significant portion of which are dedicated to cookbooks.
  • Erik's enthusiasm for food extends beyond the kitchen. He is captivated by grocery stores and markets and is always eager to explore new culinary experiences.

Experience

Growing up, Erik was always immersed in a rich culinary environment. Tracing his family roots to Italy, Poland, and Puerto Rico, food was the heart of every family gathering and celebration. From pasta and meat courses before the turkey was even carved at Italian-American Thanksgivings to the best bagels, finest smoked fish, and smoothest chopped liver in Brooklyn to pasteles and arroz con gandules, his culinary journey has been diverse and vibrant. After a stint in the theatre, he attended culinary school and has since worked in kitchens, catering operations, and curated grocery and retail operations in New York City and the Philadelphia area. Erik currently resides in the Finger Lakes Region of New York State. A staunch supporter of public libraries, he always has a collection of ten to fifteen books checked out (primarily cookbooks) and will travel far and wide to visit a talked-about independent store or food co-op.

Education

Erik received an undergraduate degree in theatre from Fordham University and is currently pursuing a master's degree in gastronomy at Boston University.
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Stories By Erik Lucas