Flavor Society was founded by Frank Velez (Dr. Chef). It all started when he was about 10 years old and during that time his mom and him ate at Cracker Barrel nearly every day for an entire year. It was one of the only places still open after 9/10 pm, when she would get off work, aside from fast food restaurants. Tried of eating the same food everyday, he began making dinner for his mother when she came home from work.
His interest in the culinary arts grew, but rather than perfecting a few signature dishes, he was driven by a curiosity for global cuisine. He constantly explored new recipes, unknowingly making the right choice by focusing not just on recipes but on mastering culinary techniques. It was through reading recipes written slightly differently from one another that he discovered the reasoning behind various cooking methods. By studying cuisines from around the world, each with unique yet overlapping techniques, he developed a deep love and understanding of food.
Frank had always been an introverted person, but that started to change when he attended the University of West Florida. He was fortunate to have three great roommates who introduced him to a large group of international friends. It wasn’t long before he started hosting dinner parties for them. Truthfully, they were just excuses to try new recipes. He never repeated a dish, which sometimes meant that experiments didn’t work out, but that never stopped him from learning. More than just cooking, he saw firsthand how food could break barriers, create bonds, and transform strangers into lifelong friends.
After graduating, Frank briefly worked in a restaurant. Though he had originally planned to go to medical school, he realized that his true mission lay elsewhere. One day, he searched for "the science of food," which led him to food science. Within three months of discovering the field, he had completed all the pre-requirements and was on his way to Florida State University for graduate school. In August of 2024, he earned his Ph.D. in food science, and over the years, his excuses for experimenting with new recipes never faded.
Frank believes that food is more than just sustenance—it is a universal language, a bridge that connects people across cultures and backgrounds. Through Flavor Society, he hopes to create a space where meals are not just about eating but about fostering community, sparking conversations, and bringing people together in a world that is becoming increasingly disconnected. His journey, from childhood dinners with his mother to international dinner parties and academic pursuits, has all led to this vision: a place where food is a catalyst for connection, discovery, and belonging.