Philippine-born Alquiros is the talented chef behind the success of many Filipino restaurants/grocers in New Jersey --- either on his own or with a grateful partners. Because of Alquiros' growing fame, many restaurants tap him as partner -- and we don't blame them. At Tropical Hut in Route 9 in Old Bridge, where he first made his mark in the food resto-grocery business, the crowd doesn't show signs of letting up, even a year after it was given glowing reviews by Star Ledger food critic Brooke Tarabour. Its resounding success eventually paved the way for him to put up a branch in Somerdale, NJ; and Leo's Barbecue in South Plainfield, NJ.
Leo has done what many Filipino restaurants can only aspire to: cater to all races. His restaurants simply lure those with more demanding taste buds -- and he delivers.
Leo has put his education skills in good use. After graduating from Business Administration, major in Marketing, Leo ventured into a career in food research, working for several companies like FMC Corp. in Princeton, New Jersey and other flavor and fragrance companies. In the process, he also became an affiliate member of the Research Chefs Association.
As a designer of value-added meat and poultry products, Leo has been known to combine many flavoring and curing techniques, including the creative use of marinades, flavored brines and natural wood smoking. He is also an expert in the selection and use of functional processing ingredients and techniques that maximize product quality, cook yield and shelf stability.
Today, Leo works full time in his restaurants and grocery stores. and despite his many successes, both as a restaurateur and food researcher, Leo remains genial, levelheaded man who has a habit of saying, "As long as you're happy, I'm happy." It's definitely a good philosophy to keep in mind when you're in the restaurant business, because we cannot be any happier with him at the kitchen.
