John Raya

I have been working in the TV/Film industry for 12 years now, but 3 years ago I was given a once in a lifetime opportunity to gain a top notch culinary education.

I have worked with Chef Gordon Ramsay, Chef John Rivera Sedlar, Chef Larry Nicola, and some amazing Chefs you've not heard of... yet. I was fortunate enough to work at Chef Sedlar's flaghsip restaurant "Rivera" in Los Angeles, as well as the Los Angeles Food Bank Charity Fundraiser, and even the 2011 Golden Globe Awards. I've also done private catering events ranging from 20 guests, all the way up to 1500 guests. So I've had some amazing experiences and a one of a kind education in the culinary world that I will cherish forever.

But as I am a Los Angeles native, I have always known that I would work in TV/Film Production. And I have had an amazing array of jobs in Production as well. From Reality TV, to music videos, feature films, and even a stint as a VFX artist, I have what I think is a truly unique understanding of the industry. But my favorite jobs have been the ones where I have been somewhat of a talent handler. Working as a wrangler with 900+ contestants all vying for few precious spots in the competition, or as a handler for the contestants and the hosts during the show is by far the most fun I've had so far.