Nearly 3,000 miles separate South Carolina from the multicultural country of Peru. But you don’t have to book a flight to experience authentic South American flavor. At Ratio in Elgin, Chef Javier Uriarte is bridging the divide by sharing the varied and distinctive gastronomy of his native land.

Likewise, his journey to becoming a culinary professional has also been a long one. As a teen living in Maryland, he got his first taste of food service by working as a cook to help finance college. Becoming a chef was not even on his radar. But the more cooking he did, the more he realized just how much he enjoyed it.

“I first knew I wanted to become a chef in 2014—right after I moved to South Carolina from Maryland,” he said. “I was at a time in my life where I could either finish school or give the chef world a spin.”

He took the leap, trading school for an on-the-job education in Columbia-area restaurants. Overcoming cultural and language barriers and his lack of formal culinary training made it even more challenging. But Chef Uriarte’s determination landed him in the kitchens of Motor Supply Co. and, eventually, Hendrix where he served as executive chef. With the opening of his tapas concept, Ratio, Chef Javier realized his dream of restaurant ownership—an impressive feat considering he is just in his early 30s.

His remarkable fortitude and reputation as a skilled, innovative chef have led to yet another achievement: a place on the 2024 roster of South Carolina Chef Ambassadors. As one of three accomplished chefs who will represent the state’s culinary scene, he will spend the coming year sharing his culinary knowledge, perspectives and experiences with the dining public.