Tino Feliciano's Bio

Chef Celestino "Tino" Feliciano is the executive chef and owner of Yia's by Chef Tino, Inc. and Tianna’s Latin Bistro, and he is the host of Cooking Channel'sTino's Latino: Puerto Rico

Chef Tino is well known for his passion in the kitchen, his teaching skills and making gourmet food accessible to anyone. "Sencillas" (simple) is the way he describes his recipes. 

At the young age of 15, Tino opened El Patio Garden with his father in Aguada, Puerto Rico. In 1998 Tino started to travel around the world, capturing the different flavors that he would later make his own. He worked in New York City at AZ with Chef Patricia Yeo, WWF with Chef Sean Guy and Planet Hollywood, helping to further his knowledge and expertise in the kitchen. 

In 2002 Tino moved back to Puerto Rico and landed a job at the Mayaguez Resort & Casino with Chef Efraín Cruz. There he was able to capture the flavor of local eateries. In 2004 he and his wife, Yimara, opened a personal-chef service, Yia's By Chef Tino, Inc., which caters to a clientele eager to experience something beyond traditional Puerto Rican cuisine. In February 2007 he opened his self-titled restaurant, Yia's by Chef Tino, in his hometown of Isabela, Puerto Rico. He is now featured on a local TV program, Entre Nosotras, transmitted in Puerto Rico and parts of the United States through WAPA and WAPA America. 

Chef Tino and his wife, Yimara, have two daughters, Yia and Tianna, who are the source of his inspiration.

Tino Feliciano's Shows