Who is Carl Ruiz?

Carl Ruiz was a Cuban-American restaurant-owner and celebrity chef. Carl was famous as a judge on many cooking competition shows on Food Network in the United States. He was born in April 1975 and died on September 21, 2019. Carl graduated from the Institue of Culinary Education in New York City.

Quick Info
Celebrated NameCarl Ruiz
ProfessionChef
Birth DateApril 1975
Death DateSeptember 21, 2019
WifeMarie Ricco (divorced)

carl ruiz

The career of Carl Ruiz

Carl served in a restaurant in Clifton, New Jersey, as a sous chef at Dish. Later, he was hired at Sabor in North Bergan circa 2002 as an executive chef. He then worked as a consultant before he was 30. The new owner of the Stephen’s Cafe of North Bergan hired him as a consulting chef for a relaunch in July 2002.

In the first decade of the 21st century, Carl moved to New York City. He then got the position of an executive chef of Son Cubano. It was a shot-lilvedCuban restaurant in Manhattan. The restaurant had live Cuban music with the 80-seat, along with a night club atmosphere. Also, it consisted of a black checkerboard floor and upholstered Louis XVI Chairs. Likewise, by the year 2011, Carl moved to a new executive chef position in Morristown, New Jersey, at Brick Oven.

carl ruiz

Furthermore, Carl opened an Italian deli and cafe along with his wife, Marie Ricco. Moreover, one of the food reviewers referred to the cafe as the type of deli that you might have visited as a child when visiting your grandmother’s house. Through the restaurant, Carl was known to a celebrity chef Guy Fieri. Moreover, Fieri featured Marie’s Italian Specialities on his popular show Food Network in October 2012. The show premiered on January 21, 2013. Fieri also featured the restaurant twice on the show. 

Moreover, Carl was hired as a judge on the other show along with Fieri, like “Guy’s Ranch Kitchen,” and “Guy’s Grocery Games.”

Sadly, Carl and Marrie divorced. This affected the Italian Specialities as they split.

Later, in June 2019, Carl opened a new restaurant. He held the position of the Executive Chef. Moreover, the restaurant specialized in the authentic Cuban fare, “La Cubana” in the Meatpacking District of New York City.

carl ruiz

Death

Unfortunately, on September 21, 2019, Carl died in his sleep. He is suspected of dying from a heart attack. At the age of 44, he died.

After his death, La Cubana announced that they would establish the Carl Ruiz Scholarship foundation. This would be dedicated to the financial support of aspiring chefs attending culinary school.