Peruvian male model Franco Noriega is not only slaying Dolce and Gabbana campaigns but is opening his own restaurant in NYC this spring. We caught up with Franco and talked about his model/ chef life, how he keeps his abs so chiseled and what he indulges on during the holidays!
LJ: After looking at your Instagram, it’s clear you’ve landed a lot of successful campaigns. Is there one that stands out to be the most fulfilling?
FN: They are all very interesting and fulfilling in their own ways. I think the first shoot of your career is always the most impactful as it’s the first time you ever feel the way a campaign makes you feel. My first campaign shoot was was back in 2008 with Dolce and Gabbana and Mario Testino as a Photographer that was a #wow moment for me.
LJ:What inspired you to become a professional chef and open a restaurant?
FN: Being Peruvian I come from a culture that revolves around food and embraces it in a way unique from other cultures. My have their own parents restaurants as well, so it felt very natural for me to find my way in cooking. My restaurant will be opening in NYC Spring 2016. I’m very excited as I love New York and I’m confident the concept of food that I am bringing to the market hasn’t been see before.
LJ: If you cooked a meal for a date, what would you cook?
FN: Often once they know I’m Peruvian they want me to cook something Peruvian as our food is getting a lot of buzz around the world. For that I would do a ceviche, it’s guilt free and has delicious proteins!
LJ:Since it’s the holiday season, what food do you indulge in? What do you stay away from?
FN: I am always indulging regardless if it’s the holiday or not. I have an obsession with bread. Now the holiday season comes in handy because the variety of breads from the Maison Kayser bakery selection is unbelievable. I stay away from sweets, I never really liked them.
https://www.instagram.com/p/7Oe7dgnlYE/?taken-by=franconorhal%20
LJ: Any tips on staying trim over Christmas vacation?
FN: If you are away from your routine and can’t access a gym or your daily workout, enjoy your days and make sure your drink a lot of water and lime, that will keep your body hydrated and you eat a lot of fiber so that your system flushes everything.
My secret is I don’t eat carbs after 6pm unless it’s quinoa. Even though quinoa is a carb it’s also a grain so it processes quickly. If you stick to this rule you will see major changes in your body. Also I drink a lot of water constantly to keep hydrated.
https://www.instagram.com/p/6X8smOnlea/?taken-by=franconorhal
Franco’s Ab Routine:
- Exercise Ball Jackknife
Place your shins on an exercise ball and body in pushup position. Contract your core as you bring your knees toward your chest. Return to the start position and repeat for a total of 12-15 repetitions.
- Decline Crunch with Twist
Secure yourself on a decline bench and cup your hands behind your ears. With your core flexed, lower your body then contract your obliques as you bring your elbow to your opposite knee. Repeat for the other side for one complete repetition. Repeat for a total of 20-25 repetitions per side.
- Pallof Press
Attach a d-handle to a pulley station and position the cable at chest level. Grasp the handle with both hands and step away from the cable stack until you feel tension in your core. With the handle at chest level, extend both arms and press parallel to the floor. Return to the start position and repeat for 12-15 repetitions.
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