Inspiring Conversations with Aristo Camburako of Chef Aristo’s Curbside & Catering

Today we’d like to introduce you to Aristo Camburako.

Hi Aristo, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in Kansas City. I graduated from Johnson County Community College with a Culinary Arts Degree. I completed my Chef Apprenticeship at the Westin Crown Center. I’m happily married to my wife Marcy and we have four wonderful sons, one granddaughter, and another grandbaby on the way.

My professional experience includes Hilton, Marriott, Harrah’s Casino, Intercontinental Hotel Group,

Bass Pro Shop, and Culinaire. While working with Culinaire, I was invited to cook for the Grand Opening of the George W. Bush Presidential Library where I cooked for all five living presidents. Other events included Tony Romo’s wedding, Premier Designs Convention in Dallas, Texas for over 8,000 attendees, and the New Jersey Performing Arts center.

I have been an Owner-Operator of Family restaurants since early on in my youth. I’m the Founder of BBQ Smoker Competition Team-Cock n Bull Smokers, and I competed on the Food Network 4th Season Holiday Baking Championship 2017.

Now I’m the Owner/Operator of Chef Aristo’s Curbside & Catering. The shift to working on a food truck was a direct result of the pandemic in 2020. I was furloughed from my position at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Overland Park, where I was the executive chef. When you get lemons, you make lemonade! With my wife’s support, we designed, purchased, and opened our first food truck. We have served many corporations, weddings, graduations, food truck events, bike-a-thons, fundraisers, and local patrons. This has been an awesome opportunity to take my passion for cooking on the road.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I have had challenges along the way. In my early 20s, I broke my back twice. After months in the hospital, I was told I would not be able to continue the long hours on my feet. That gave me more motivation to get better along the way. After 25 years of working long hours in the corporate world, I never thought I would have been furloughed. COVID brought on many areas of change in many people’s lives but changed my career path rapidly. Although there were many challenges having a new truck and learning how to navigate in the food truck world, we were embraced by the community and offered advice on the process, the past year has been very rewarding with the events worked and friendships developed along the way.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Chef Aristo’s Curbside & Catering?
From hotel kitchens to the Food Network to now his own mobile food truck and catering; Lee’s Summit’s own Chef Aristo Camburako is bringing to you an array of delicious foods. Aristo is a Certified Chef and has extensive culinary experience.

Aristo’s passion for cooking took off at a young age when he would cook with his parents at the family’s restaurant in Kansas City. Aristo’s chef tour of KC ultimately led him to want to take his talents to the street bringing his Greek heritage to the food truck where you will find a variety of Gyro’s, wings with his handcrafted sauces, signature pasta, homemade dips, sides & salad, and desserts.

A few favorites are the loaded gyro, sun-dried tomato basil pasta, and his award-winning Orange Jalapeno blast wings. Don’t forget to try one of his specialty Yia Yia desserts.

Chef Aristo loves social events and is available for corporate events, weddings, birthdays, graduations, block parties, and private breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. Give Chef Aristo’s Curbside & Catering a call to book your next event. 816-200-1225

“My passion is cooking and making people happy through food. Kali Orexi” Chef Aristo

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: chefaristo.com
• Instagram: @chefaristo
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/ChefAristo
• Twitter: @chefaristo