When Universal’s Epic Universe theme park opened its doors in May 2025, it wasn’t just the massive scale of the park or its groundbreaking attractions that caught attention—it was the diverse and flavorful menu. Behind the delicious spread of dishes served across the 750-acre park were two brothers, Marcos and Chris Colón, who crafted the park’s culinary offerings, drawing heavily from their Puerto Rican roots. Their journey from childhood family meals to masterminds of a multi-billion-dollar theme park’s menu is a testament to how family traditions and cultural heritage can shape a successful career in food.
A Family Affair: From Childhood Meals to Theme Park Menus
The Colón brothers’ story is rooted in the kitchen of their family home. From a young age, they were surrounded by the smell of their mother’s home-cooked meals, which were often simple, traditional Puerto Rican dishes. “We were always gathered around the dinner table, whether we were hungry or not,” says Marcos, reflecting on his childhood. “It was always about family and food.”
Marcos and Chris, both of whom now hold key culinary roles at Universal Orlando Resort and Epic Universe, vividly recall the sense of togetherness fostered by their mother’s cooking. Their meals weren’t just about satisfying hunger—they were an anchor for the family, a way to bond and celebrate their Puerto Rican heritage.
“It wasn’t fancy food, but it was real, soulful cooking that brought us together,” Marcos says, noting that dishes like pernil (roast pork), corned beef and rice, and empanadas were often prepared for special occasions. “If it’s my son being celebrated, it’s empanadas. If it’s me, it’s usually pernil or corned beef.”
For the Colón brothers, their mother’s kitchen wasn’t just where meals were prepared—it was where their passion for food was ignited.
The Impact of Puerto Rican Flavors
While the brothers both left home to pursue their culinary careers, they never strayed far from the roots instilled in them by their mother. For Chris, the youngest of four siblings, the turning point came during his time in college. His mother, who had moved to the mainland from Puerto Rico, worked full-time while simultaneously preparing meals for the family. “I felt like it was a lot for her to juggle, so I wanted to help out,” Chris explains. To lighten her load, he learned how to cook.
The first dish his mother taught him to make was pollo guisado, a Puerto Rican-style stewed chicken with potatoes served over white rice. “It was one of my favorite meals,” Chris recalls, noting that the process of making it himself gave him a sense of accomplishment. “That was the moment I realized I could cook, and it felt good to do something for her that she did for us every day.”
Marcos, too, found his inspiration in his mother’s cooking, but in a slightly different way. He recalls constantly trying to improve upon her dishes. “I’ve always tried to one-up her recipes,” he says, recalling how he made it his mission to take the meals he grew up with and add his own twist. “But no matter how much I tried, she always made it better than I did.”
Despite his best efforts, Marcos developed a deep appreciation for his mother’s talent. “She made everything look so easy,” he says, laughing. “I remember trying to make alcapurrias (Puerto Rican fritters) and failing miserably. I called her up for advice, and she walked me through it like it was nothing.”
This connection to their mother’s kitchen would later influence their culinary careers in ways they never expected.
Culinary Success: From Family Kitchens to Epic Universe
Both Marcos and Chris pursued culinary careers, and it wasn’t long before they found themselves at Universal, bringing their Puerto Rican roots with them into the world of theme park cuisine. Chris, who serves as the Executive Sous-Chef of Research and Development at Universal Orlando Resort, plays a pivotal role in menu creation across the parks. Marcos, as Executive Chef and Director of Culinary at Epic Universe, oversees the execution of those concepts at the new park.
In fact, it was their mother’s recipes that helped Marcos land his position at Epic Universe. During his job interview, he cooked mofongo, a traditional Puerto Rican dish made from mashed plantains, paired with carne frita (fried pork). The dish wasn’t complicated, but it was flavorful and deeply personal to him. “It’s something that represents who I am, and it came from my mom,” he shares. His mother’s cooking was the foundation for his approach to the job.
“What we grew up eating has become my foundation for all cooking,” Marcos says, highlighting the importance of sofrito—a flavorful base made from garlic, onions, peppers, and herbs—that his mother introduced him to early on. Marcos now uses sofrito as the base for dishes in many different culinary styles. “Whether it’s Italian or Mexican or anything else, sofrito is in everything I cook,” he adds.
Chris has also infused their mother’s Puerto Rican influence into many dishes across Universal’s offerings. At Universal Studios, he helped develop the menu at the Illumination’s Minion Café, which features ropa vieja, a dish he learned to make from his mom. “A lot of my mother’s recipes have been taken from her and produced through me on a larger scale,” Chris says, explaining that during the park’s Mardi Gras celebration, dishes like pastelón (plantain casserole) and habichuelas (beans) have been showcased to highlight Puerto Rican culture.
In fact, the brothers’ work at Epic Universe has become a family affair. Both Marcos and Chris cite the opening of the park and its culinary program as one of the most significant achievements in their careers, and it’s a proud moment for their mother as well. “She’s always supported us, but this is the first time she’s really seen how hard we’ve worked,” Chris says. “She’s so proud of what we’ve accomplished together.”
The Power of Family and Culture in the Kitchen
For both Marcos and Chris, food has always been a symbol of family and cultural identity. It’s not just about cooking—it’s about connecting to their roots, honoring their heritage, and keeping family traditions alive. Their culinary journey is a reflection of the values they grew up with: love, respect, and the joy of sharing meals with those you love.
Looking ahead, the Colón brothers continue to draw inspiration from their mother’s kitchen as they innovate in the world of theme park cuisine. Their work at Universal’s Epic Universe isn’t just about creating meals; it’s about creating an experience that connects guests to diverse cultures, flavors, and stories.
As they continue to share their Puerto Rican heritage through their food, the Colón brothers’ bond with their mother remains central to everything they do. “Food is our way of showing love,” Marcos says. “It always has been.”
