Jose Clavell, Owner of Boricua in the Midwest. I am a self-taught baker and home cook. I was born in Puerto Rico and moved to Illinois in 2013 when I pursued my master's degree. I moved to Iowa in 2015 to be a Spanish teacher in DMPS and a singers in the Des Moines Metro.

I have been cooking since I was 7 years old with my Titi Tita and Tito Efrain at my family events as their Sous Chef since Mimi's kitchen was her domain. I would sneak in when she was out of town to cook for myself and Dad where I would hone my skills for the future.

I've been "seriously" cooking since 2013. As a way to share my culture, I hosted parties in grad school, shared my cooking with my friends and started a food blog with the same name.

in 2022, I started as a licensed home bakery based out of Grimes, IA. Where I take my food memories from Puerto Rico and foods I've learned from my travels and added my own Puerto Rican twist!

What is this twist? Guava in Granola, Coffee infused everything, and sazon y sofrito to Midwest foods! I'm a seasonal vendor at the Ankeny Farmers Market. I hope to see you there!

Contact the host of Soup it Up! Puerto Rican Soups and Stews