Jose “Chef Cheo” Garabito, is a renowned, culinary expert best known for his vibrant mix of Latin and Caribbean cuisine all served with an emphasis on healthy eating and living. Inspired by the Latin and Caribbean flavors introduced to him by his mother and grandmother as well as global tastes acquired from his travels, Chef Cheo transforms simple cuisine with bold and exotic flavors and ingredients driven by a focus on nutrition education. As a personal chef, Cheo has delighted the palettes of notable celebrities including Janet Jackson, Tyler Perry, F Gary, Gary Sheffield, and countless others.
His penchant for health and wellness coupled with a passion for food has made him the “go-to celebrity chef” behind the dramatic weight-loss transformations of former New York Yankees pitcher C.C. Sabathia, entertainment mogul Tyler Perry and international entertainment icon Janet Jackson. He is highly sought after for his teachings on healthy meal preparation, stress elimination, and overall wellness.
Chef Cheo graduated from Johnson & Wales University’s College of Culinary Arts and taught at the Le Cordon Bleu Academy in Miami. He has honed his skills at celebrated restaurants such as the Mayfair House Hotel, St. Michel Hotel, J. Alexander’s, Ortanique and later served as executive chef for the premiere Washington, D.C. Event destination Republic Garden, and Pearl.
Cheo has had the pleasure of creating signature dishes for the Miami Grand Prix, Nascar’s Homestead Races and the 1997 World Series. He has also made his mark on Hollywood as the food service provider for the cast of “Captain America 3: Civil War,” Tyler Perry’s “The Haves and The Have Nots,” “Love Thy Neighbor,” “If Loving You is Wrong,” and for directors F. Gary Gray and Morten Tyldum.
This culinary superstar has been featured in Men’s Journal and Vibe Magazine and is currently developing several projects, including reshaping the nutritional value of school meals and inspiring school-aged children to eat healthier.