Erasmo Casiano is the Chef / Owner of Create Cooking School at Stanley Marketplace in Denver, CO. He grew up cooking with his mom, watching her go from novice to menudo master. He spent summers outside grilling with his dad. Even in high school he was motivated to start learning everything he could about cooking and organizing people around this passion. We geek out about guilty food pleasures like late-night taquitos. We talk with Nicole Swan, one of Create Cooking School’s instructors and one of his #UnsungHospitalityHeroes. She started her own culinary journey at 13 years old, in the Hudson Valley of New York.

Website - createfoods.co

Instagram - @createcookingschool @razcasi

Where are you from originally?

Dallas, Texas

First job in the industry?

Braum's Ice Cream in Duncanville, Texas in 2001 at 15.

Two things most people don't know about you?

I love all things related to the Universe and I've watched The Office on repeat for the past 15 years.

Food and/or drinks staples in your house?

Chili Peppers, Fish Sauce, Hot Sauce, Whiskey and Wine.

Words to live by?

"Do or do not. There is no try." -Yoda

In Ras’ family, everyone cooks, and his hospitality education started at an early age. His father, Jose Manuel, armed with impeccable fire-starting skills, would man the grill, and his mother, Santa, would prepare intricate sides and traditional salsas. Weekends at home came with an open door policy, encouraging spontaneous neighborhood dinner parties. Their house was constantly filled with family, friends, food, and music.

In 2005, Ras left Texas to study Culinary Arts at Johnson & Wales University in Providence, RI. After spending a year in New England, Ras transferred to the Denver campus to finish his degree. After college Ras refined his style in fine dining restaurants around the city.

CREATE is the next step in Ras’ quest to bring people together with loved ones, and empower them to get in touch with their food. With CREATE, Ras hopes that he can share the hospitality he learned at an early age with the community he has grown to love in Colorado.