NEW YORK (1010 WINS) – Arriving in New York City in 2002 with just $11 in his pocket, Huascar Aquino, a Dominican-born chef, never imagined that he would one day own a bakery in Manhattan and win the prestigious "Cupcake Wars" competition on the Food Network.
Now, as the owner of Huascar & Co. Bakeshop on West 54th Street in Hell's Kitchen, Aquino is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with 1010 WINS.
Aquino’s passion for baking began back in the Dominican Republic, where he learned to cook from his mother and honed his skills at hotels across the island. “I’m Dominican. I’m from the Caribbean,” he told 1010 WINS. “We grew up with mango, coconut, passion fruit, guava, pineapple. Those are the flavors that I’m trying to incorporate.”
Aquino moved to New York to study pastry arts at the French Culinary Institute (now the International Culinary Center), despite facing challenges. “My English is not very good looking,” he joked. “Entering the French Culinary Institute was beyond stressful, but I made it through with my culture intact.”
Aquino’s career took off when he competed in "Cupcake Wars" in 2013, becoming the first New York baker to win the competition. His winning cupcakes, mixed with the flavors of his heritage, included creations like a spinach cupcake filled with tomato marmalade, inspired by the Dominican dish Dulce de Tomate. He even experimented with unique combinations such as avocado and banana, and yellow pepper and corn.
“I always make sure my treats include plenty of Latino flavor,” Aquino said. “I hope that somebody sees themselves in me and feels hopeful. If he can do it, I can do it.”
With plans to continue incorporating even more Latin flair into his bakery, Aquino remains dedicated to celebrating his roots. “One of my bakers is from Chile, another is from Venezuela,” he said. “It’s not just about the Caribbean—it’s about all of us coming together to share our flavors and stories.”
For more about Aquino, listen to his interview above with anchor Mario Bósquez.