From Ballet to the Bronx: The Inspiring Journey of Chef Sam Lopez

In the heart of the Bronx, along the Grand Boulevard that was once meant to rival Paris’ Champs-Elysees, Chef Sam Lopez has created something extraordinary. His dining concept, Ocho Plato, isn’t just about serving meals - it is about healing, connection and the transformation of both food and community.

Lopez’s culinary journey is deeply intertwined with his Puerto Rican heritage and his mother’s influence. Growing up, he watched his mother in the kitchen creating delicious meals for his family, although she never taught him herself. Her cooking style - intuitive, without cookbooks, guided by feel - would later shape his own approach to cuisine. “When I’m in a pickle in the kitchen,” Lopez says, “I think of what she would do.”

But before finding his calling in the culinary arts, Lopez’s life took several dramatic turns. As a young man, he was a member of the East Harlem Ballet Company, a boxer and competed in weight lifting competitions. These pursuits demanded strict dietary discipline, where food was viewed purely as fuel. “There was lots of suffering,” he recalls of the rigorous dieting required to maintain specific weight categories for boxing.

What was the Inspiration for Ocho Plato?

A violent carjacking in 1996 became an unexpected turning point. Left with fractured ribs and a broken jaw, Lopez found himself unable to pursue his usual physical activities. During this period of forced rest, he discovered a profound love for cooking. What began as part of his recovery became a passion that would define his future.

“Part of reclaiming my life was embracing the joy of eating,” he reflects. This transformation shifted his entire philosophy about food - from seeing it merely as fuel to understanding it as nourishment for “mind, heart, and soul.”

In 2016, Lopez launched Ocho Plato, named for the eight signature plates he serves. The concept began as a mystery dining experience, with locations revealed to guests on the day of the event. He settled on the Bronx as the home of Ocho Plato when renovations on his current location were complete. His choice of the Bronx as a setting is significant. The borough, which suffered through decades of decline and systematic neglect- with buildings regularly being burned down as landlords avoided maintenance costs - is now experiencing a renaissance. Lopez is part of this revival, transforming his apartment into a welcome dining space that celebrates both cuisine and community.

Development of Lopez’s Cooking Style

His cooking style reflects a lifetime of travel and cultural exploration. Since 2015, Lopez and his wife have made it a tradition to visit a different country each year, always including a cooking class in their itinerary. These experiences influence his menu, which features dishes that tell stories of their own. His signature pork belly dish, for instance, draws inspiration from Nicaragua’s Le chon, a Christmas tradition, but incorporates his own innovations in preparation and presentation. Lopez’s technical expertise is evident in his approach to cooking. He insists on making his own broths for sauces and has mastered various international techniques, from Italian pasta-making to traditional Puerto Rican mofongo. Yet he’s not afraid to experiment, creating unexpected combinations like an avocado flan sweetened with honey - a dish that showcases his ability to bridge traditional and innovative cooking styles.

The dining experience at Ocho Plato extends beyond the plate. Lopez has integrated art into his concept, featuring local artists’ works in his space. This combination of food and art has proved successful - during one eighteen-month period, four pieces were sold to diners, with some works going on to be featured in galleries.

Philosophy on Food and Beyond Ocho Plato

Perhaps what makes Lopez’s story most compelling is how he’s come full circle in his relationship with food. After helping his twin sons lose over 100 pounds in a year, he maintains a balanced philosophy: “Everything is okay to eat. Nothing is off limits in moderation.” This approach reflects his journey from strict athletic dieting to finding joy in cooking and eating. Today, cooking serves as more than just a profession for Lopez - it’s a way to maintain a connection with his late mother, whom he lost just a year and a half ago. In Latino culture, where machismo often dominates, Lopez speaks openly about the special bond he shared with his mother, talking to her daily until her passing. Now, when he’s in the kitchen he feels her presence guiding his hands.

As the Bronx continues its transformation, with luxury buildings rising alongside cultural institutions like Yankee Stadium and the borough’s renowned zoo and botanical gardens, Lopez’s Ocho Plato stands as a testament to the power of food to build community, heal wounds, and celebrate life. Through his eight carefully curated plates, he’s not just serving meals - he’s sharing stories, creating connections, and contributing to the renaissance of a borough that refuses to be defined by its past.

Sam Lopez hosts private dining experiences for up to eight (8) guests most weekends in New York. Dining experiences can be made vegetarian or vegan upon request.