Executive Chef Barillas “Chef Julio”  learned his trade at the Culinary Institute of America in New York City and joined Hilton International where, for years, he helped launch successful eating establishments in hotels in many parts of the world, training restaurant personnel, and created appealing, and tasty menus.  Even while working for Hilton, Barillas volunteered for the American Cancer Society and taught Taking Control seminars. Here, he incorporated his vegetarian cooking, specialty-instructing people how to take control of their lives by eating properly.

He left the hotel industry in 1990 to join Chamberlain’s Natural Food store and restaurant in Winter Park, Florida.  Barillas worked for six years and received specialized training in nutrition.  “Very few people in my profession are interested in making people healthier,” says Barillas.  “They learn to make food that tastes good and looks good.  I believe this is very important, however, my first responsibility is to protect the health of individuals.”  Chef Julio studied natural medicine, hydrotherapy, and therapeutic massage at Andrews University and Health and Spirituality at Loma Linda University.

Since 2001 he has presented over 500 nutrition seminars in many  churches, hospitals, and schools.  Here are a few comments:

“Your participation made this event a wonderful benefit to our community.”   Pastor Ed Santana

“I highly recommend all of our schools having Chef Julio conduct a seminar on nutrition at their school.”  Joan Moraga, School Board Chair, Miami Springs .

“Your flare with food adds an air of excitement to the information sharing and education that surrounds the food demonstrations.”  Debra Carby, MPH, RD, Allegheny East PA

“Thank you so much for your participation in the cardiac rehabilitation open house last month.  Your presentation was wonderful, informative, and entertaining.”   Jennifer Hawkins, RN, Cardiac Rehab HRMC, Melbourne, Florida

Executive Chef Julio Barillas will present a seminar focusing on practical nutrition and achieving a healthy lifestyle from the foods we eat.  The first session of the seminar focuses on stress management, the second session covers nutrition, weight loss, plants, food and personal health.  The third session features a “hands-on” meal preparation for the seminar participants.

Barillas hopes many teens and young adults will attend his seminar.  He says, “They would learn that, more often than not, the first half of life is spent destroying ourselves physically; then, we try to fix the problems during the second half.  Most sickness could be prevented if we simply practiced healthy eating habits in the first half of our lives.”

                                                                                                                    
Health Ministry