Highly recognized for his culinary accomplishments, Chef Larry was a member of The 1998, 1992 and 1996 U.S.A. Culinary Teams, winning three gold medals and a special "cloverleaf" award at the world's most prestigious cooking competition, the "Culinary Olympics".

Chef Larry has served as Executive Chef/Food and Beverage Director for many destination hotels and restaurants including: the Disneyland Hotel, the Queen Mary and Port Properties, The Town and Country Resort/Convention Center and Kona Kai Continental Plaza Resort and Marina. He has cooked for numerous celebrities and dignitaries including the superstar Michael Jackson, The Sultan of Brunei and Philippine President Joseph Estrada. Banares is in demand as a speaker and has consulted for national restaurant chains and foodservice companies.

As guest chef of the five star Shangri-La Hotels, Asia's premier luxury resort chain, Banares is the first ever American invited to showcase his signature cuisine at flagship hotels in Manila and Hong Kong, Among many celebrities and dignitaries to experience his creations were President Joseph Estrada, Tony Award winning entertainer Lea Salonga and former Philippine First Lady Imelda Marcos.