Harold Villarosa

Filipino born, and South Bronx raised, Chef Harold Villarosa received his earliest culinary and agricultural education in the bukid (rice paddies) of Iloilo. Harold stepped into New York in pursuit of opportunities with the most interesting culinary houses. Macondo and Rayuela restaurants provided an early mentor and friend, the late Chef Máximo Tejada. Chasing every lead, Harold found himself with an international invitation from Rene Redzepi to work at the #1 rated restaurant in the world, NOMA in Copenhagen. Rigorously trained in the selection, appreciation, and art behind farm to table cuisine, he steadily ascended the culinary ladder. Staging at Michelin rated restaurants like Aquavit, Aureole, and Rouge Tomate, Harold’s young career blossomed. Gleaning kitchen efficiency from places like Fedora in the West Village, and learning restaurant operations from opening with James Beard’s recipient for best restaurant, Batard, worked his way up the culinary ladder at the lauded restaurant Per Se. Insurgo (Latin for “to go against the grain”), is Chef Harold’s community collective focused on farm to table movements in low-income neighborhoods in New York, and around the country. As a man raised in what we now call "food deserts", and whose first job was at McDonald's, he gives our urban youth opportunities and experiences that embody the tastes and smells of an international culinary movement. Chef Villarosa and Insurgo organize community tastings, elementary and high school curriculum development, free educational panels, and fundraising events. Chef Villarosa currently is the Head chef of Well& and part of the sustainability council for the durst foundation Member of the Black Culinary Alliance; The Experimental Cuisine Collective in conjunction with NYU’s Chemistry Department; and holds a Culinary Arts Degree from the Culinary Academy of New York.

Giving back and reaching down to lift someone up| SDG | Cooking | Food justice | Social justice | NGO|Hustle|Restaurants

Leadership and mentoring among low income communities

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