Juan Mateo

Restaurant Chef

Ciclo Chef Juan Mateo was born in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, where his earliest lessons in food came from time spent in his grandmother’s kitchen. Though cooking was not his original calling, a plantain soup she prepared with three textures left a lasting impression—teaching him balance, patience, and the power of using food to hold a memory in time. After becoming a father, Juan entered professional kitchens, quickly discovering his vocation and rising into leadership roles. His journey has taken him from Puerto Rico to Orlando and beyond, including opening one of the city’s first Puerto Rican restaurants and earning national recognition. Juan's cooking blends modern techniques with deeply rooted tradition all driven by warmth, emotion, and a belief that food is the ultimate connector.