Meet Roberto Hannibal of Good Food Gurus in North Hollywood

Today we’d like to introduce you to Roberto Hannibal.

Roberto, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I believe that my story begins like many other people. I started my career in healthcare. I graduated Temple University with a major in Public Health. I then furthered my studies and received a Master’s in the same major. Fast forward to 2018, this year was pretty difficult for me. There were many life changes that forced me to look within myself at what really made me happy.

I decided then to move from New York City to Los Angeles in pursuit of working in the hospitality industry. I know that does not seem like the likely jump for most people. But, to me it made sense. New York City is a second home for me since I grew up right outside Manhattan in New Jersey. I had moved to Los Angeles in the past, but it did not work out for me. I immediately got to work in Los Angeles and found myself managing a restaurant. I was very happy at this point. But, COVID had other plans for us. I was laid off almost immediately after the outbreaks began. This was a blessing in disguise for me. Since I began working, I have been putting in 60 plus hours a week. One could say my personality became work. COVID forced me to be still for the first time in a very long time. This is where I saw my creative side start to blossom a bit more. I began to put my love for food and beverage into something a bit more fun. This is how Good Food Gurus began. My boyfriend, Demetre, and I wanted to do something fun together. I am happy to say where I am now, I never thought I would be. I am turning something I love into something that can work for me.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I envy those who encounter smooth roads on their way to success. My story has plenty of hurdles in it. 2018 was a serious year of change for me. This was the beginning of my inevitable journey to Los Angeles. There were three major events that occurred. First, my fiancee at the time and I broke up. We had been together for five years, so learning how to be on my own again was difficult. At the same time, my family learned my father had been diagnosed with prostate cancer. And finally at the end of the year, my sister died from a freak accident. Her IUD punctured her uterus and she went to sleep and never woke up. I ended the year in a depression and struggling with my self-identity. It was through this pain that I was able to gain strength to follow something I truly love. These extreme circumstances helped me find who I was and who I wanted to be.

Every day I miss my sister more than I care to admit, but I know she is helping me move forward. Whether she knew it or not, she was always so strong and determined. I just to honor her legacy by making something of myself that I could be proud of. Moving to Los Angeles was the easy part, but earning enough money to stay was difficult. I am very thankful for family meals at the restaurants I worked in and for the occasional large tip. When I finally became a manager, I saw a slight increase in wages. Money will always be an obstacle, especially during COVID season. But, like many others, I refuse to quit and I fight on.

Please tell us about Good Food Gurus.
Good Food Gurus or GFG started as a fun Instagram blog that showcased great restaurants, food trucks, dives, etc. We were so excited when we first began because we were getting recognition from major companies and brands like TGIFridays and Outshine Snacks. As we continued on, we began to realize how much more we wanted to do. I am so very proud to say we are currently working on a website and app. We are looking to move toward a more well-rounded brand. We are not only focusing on great places to eat. We are expanding to really dive into what it means to have a love for food. We are looking at it as more of a lifestyle. So this will include: ways to eat better, random recipes with what you find at home, what wines to look for, what foods help with weight loss/gain, where to go for the perfect date night, or where to go to beat the crowd and enjoy something amazing. We want to capture all aspects of food and beverage. We also want to make our platforms more interactive. Social media has grown and changed with COVID and we are looking to change as well. I am excited to show what partnerships and ideas we have. I think what sets us apart from others is our creativity as a couple. We both have so many ideas and such different backgrounds in the professional and creative fields. Even just talking about this now, I am over the moon excited.

Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
I believe that success comes to me because I am determined. I learn and adapt as I go through life. This goes for all areas of life not just professionally. I love to collaborate. So, in turn, I learn more and I expose myself to ideas and things I would not have without it. I also have an almost naive optimism about life. If you believe things will work out, then you will not accept anything but. Any failure you have is only preparing you for the journey to success. You may not have been strong enough today. But, those calluses you built will help you climb much higher tomorrow.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goodfoodgurus/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GoodFoodGurus/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/GoodFoodGurus

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