Hello my name is Jeff Balfour, I am the Chef and Owner of Southerleigh Fine Food and Brewery.  Our friend and coworker Ruben Escamilla passed away suddenly this week.  He had one of the biggest hearts that we have ever known.  His passion for cooking and being in the kitchen was above and beyond any that we have ever seen. In the restaurant industry most survive without health/ life insurance.  We would hope that the culinary/ hospitality community as well as the community as a whole will give to help his family in covering all of the costs associated with his death.  
Ruben was a very special person, his love for cooking was apparent daily.  He bought cookbooks 5 at a time, and would never shut up about what you tube video he had just watched featuring this chef or that one.  He took pride in all that he did and fiercely loved his crew and the community he was a part.  From his food truck Tailgate Bistro to his huge smile on the line at the chef's table at Southerleigh he lit up everytime he touched that knife.  He can never be duplicated or replaced.  So many lives were touched by his kindness and friendship.
Please help us in helping his family, we want to give them all that we can.  We are raising funds to help with the expense associated with his death.  Services, hospital bills and any other bills that are unsettled on his behalf.  His older brother First Sergeant Roland Cuellar will be accepting the donations on the families behalf.