Chef Kevin Ruiz was originally born in Manati, Puerto Rico and moved to Apex, North Carolina at the age of seven. Growing up, he summered with family in Puerto Rico and spent the remainder of the year stateside which gave him a unique outlook on cuisine from multiple cultures. Now residing in downtown Raleigh, NC, over the years he has taken the helm at prominent restaurants of varying styles throughout the city. Coming in Spring 2025, Chef Kevin Ruiz and Raleigh restaurateur Charlie Ibarra will be teaming up to debut Cuya Cocina Latina: a pan-Latin concept spanning the Caribbean, Mexico, and South America. The menu will dive into the above’s varied cuisines ranging from reimagined classics like Puerto Rico’s plantain mofongo topped with grilled lobster, to street inspired Mexican Esquite Corn Ribs doused in cotija cheese and tajin, to fresh takes on beloved Peruvian stir fries. The concept expects to debut in April amongst the bustling nightlife of Downtown Raleigh’s Glenwood Avenue.