Cooking With: Post Office Cafe Chef Ivan Villalobos

There are many things for which Babylon Village is known for: the sense of community among residents, a vibrant business district, good schools and student achievement, beautiful parks and safe streets to stroll at night.

In recent years it's also become known as a restaurant Mecca for foodies living both in and outside the two-mile village boundaries.

To put it simply, food abounds in Babylon Village. Behind each and every eatery is a culinary force at work and Patch is getting into the kitchen to talk with local food mavericks and get them to spill the beans on everything from favorite recipes to food-making tips.

This week Patch offers a look at who's running the kitchen at the Post Office Café on Main Street, a village mainstay for 31 years.

Chef: Ivan Villalobos, better known as Mario to food lovers and colleagues.

Age: 27

Culinary Experience: Has served as top chef since 2004 after arriving at the Post Office as a cook. He never expected to be a chef despite his love for cooking, which he notes "runs in my veins." He credits his father and mother for inspiration as both loved to cook. "Everyone in my family is a chef," says the El Salvador native.

Best Part of the Job: "There is always something new every day and no day is like the other. It's great when customers let you know they liked something."

Worst Part of the Job: "The role of a chef can be demanding and a lot of hours when kitchen staff get sick or you're shorthanded."

Most Fun Part: "When I get an idea for a new dish or see that something new is getting diners' attention and I can share that with kitchen management in the overall operations."

Advice Tip for New Chefs: "You need patience and you have to keep your cool in the kitchen all the time." The second bit of advice he offers up is to never serve something that  may not taste perfect. "It's not the place to improvise and expect it may be good. Always give what the customers want and like."

His Favorite Meal: "I don't really have a favorite, though I like my food spicy. I don't eat sweets at all though," he says with a smile.