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George Cruz, Riley McGrath, Paul McGrath, Alex Lozano, + Chris Bonanno | Founders of Total Pet Kitchen

This local to watch is not just one person but a whole team of innovative individuals. Behind Total Pet Kitchen (and the parent company WYSE Products) are New Jersey natives: Chef George Cruz, Riley McGrath, Paul McGrath, Alex Lozano, and Chris Bonanno. After years of working in the culinary industry, George and his partners created an all-in-one pet food multicooker. This Hudson County-born product aims to “[make] it easier for pet parents to cook fresh, balanced meals using real ingredients,” George shared with HG.

“What started as a prototype idea became a labor of love—years of testing recipes, designing a production-ready appliance, and refining the user experience. The result? A first-of-its-kind kitchen appliance that cooks, grinds, and portions healthy meals for pets—all at home, all with the push of a button,” George said.

With their product, George and his team aim to help make “mealtime better for pets and less stressful for their people,” he said. He also hopes to inspire others to make positive changes. “I started out as a local kid from WNY, bussing tables and learning from the ground up,” he said. “Over time, I found purpose in sharing meals and creating moments that bring people together. If my journey can show someone that they, too, can follow their passion and make a difference, even in small ways, then that’s something truly meaningful to me.”

Read the HG article.