About Chef Rene Helit (left):

Born and raised in Guam, Chef Rene Helit began his culinary career in high school as part of the ProStart program. From there, he continued into the expansive world of culinary arts at Guam Community College, receiving a degree in Culinary Arts in 2016.

Rene’s career led him to an opportunity to start as an Assistant Cook on the Norwegian Cruise Lines ship Pride of America. Within a few months, he leveled up and became a red-scarfed cook where he learned traditional cooking methods on the job.

After enjoying some final family-and-friends time in Guam, Rene moved to Austin where he received his first Sous Chef designation. He later realized it was time to leave the restaurant business and focused on becoming a personal chef and launched The Cultured Chefs. His goal is to provide healthy meals for his clients and still make them delicious for them to be happy with. He believes that no one has to sacrifice taste and quality when it comes to making healthy meals.

About Chef Jason Desmarais (right):

Growing up in a mixed Filipino family in Nederland, Texas, Jason Desmarais was exposed to multiple cultures due to the diversity found among workers in the petrochemical industry. That exposure gave him the chance to sample a multitude of dishes with a focus on Pan-Asian cuisines (and Cajun cuisine owing to Nederland’s vicinity to Louisiana).

It was from this experience that Jason developed a love of unique flavors and spices – one which came to shape his cooking style which he hopes will delight all his guests!