I believe it was in 1994 that Saveur Magazine began publication. I was in the midst of beginning to write a cookbook for Random House titled, “New World Cuisine”. While writing a book it is very hard to do almost anything else. It is simply way too time consuming doing…
Category: Posts
TWO ‘FOREVER MEMORY’ NIGHTS
From The Jacques Pépin Foundation. A recap! February 18, 2025 at Sereia in Miami, FL Diners at the beautiful Sereia restaurant were treated to an incredible six-course meal crafted by Miami’s top chefs, including Henrique Sá Pessoa, Norman Van Aken, Miguel Massens, Michael Beltran, Danny Ganem, Michael Schwartz, and Soraya Caraccioli-Kilgore. The menu of dishes inspired by Jacques…
Outstanding in the Field and 4 Roots Farm Dinner
In a dynamic and sure to be delicious collaboration CEO of ‘4 Roots Farm’, John Rivers announced an event with the Farm and the roving, imaginative group knowns as, “Outstanding in the Field”. The meal will feature a tour of the amazing, multi-dimensional property that ‘4Roots Farm’ is and then…
TREASURE BOOK SERIES: STAFF MEALS
The video expresses much about why I consider this a treasure book. Let me prelude it by saying when you are a restaurant owner or the chef of one this book is a godsend. We know how tough this business is. The general populace has learned much about this over…
‘THE FOUR SEASONS’, A TREASURE BOOK
I bought this book or it was given to me while working with Charlie Trotter and Carrie Nahabedian in Lake Forest, Il. at ‘Sinclair’s’. If it was a gift it probably came from Gordon Sinclair who owned the restaurant along with businessman Marshall Field IV. Gordon was great at sharing…
A TREASURE BOOK, “LUTÈCE”, By André Soltner
The beloved Chef who wrote this ‘Treasure Book’ I love passed away in January of this year. As the video portrays I have memories and things I want to share with you. His Memorial which I was invited to was quite recent. The turnout included many of the top chefs…
PODCAST WITH CHEF MIGUEL MASSENS AND MYSELF
A podcast hosted by award winning longtime journalist and radio personality Linda Gassenheimer titled, “Food News and Views” is available here at the link. On it Linda interviewed the Chef de Cuisine 0f ‘Sereia’ restaurant Miguel Massens in Coconut Grove as well as me regarding the upcoming Jacques Pépin Foundation…
THE TROTTER PROJECT
Where to begin? For now let’s start with present tense. This month I became the newest Board Member of The Trotter Project. You can copy and paste from below and put that in your browser. It will show you how the vision of Chef Charlie Trotter continues to flourish despite…
EATER NAMES ORLANDO’S ‘TOP 38!’
Eater 38 is out with the top honors. “Legendary Florida chef Norman Van Aken continues to navigate the restaurant’s direction along with chef de cuisine Carlos Robles Molina at the helm. Even in its third incarnation, the menu’s original Latin-Caribbean DNA is still intact, though flavors from Japan and Southeast…
“Culture and Cuisine”. The Seeds of Fusion!
I purchased this book at a shop on Fleming Street in Key West in February of 1988. I was part owner of my first restaurant. It was called “MIRA”. I was also in the middle of a huge amount of culinary self-analysis as to what I was going to do…
’90 at 90′ Galas for Chef Jacques Pépin!
The Director of Operations for the Jacques Pépin Foundation, Marissa Ain and the foundation’s Culinary Producer, Susan Wilbur invited me to head up two major dinners in Florida for the program titled, “90 at 90” to celebrate the life of the amazing Chef and Educator. The ones I am helping…
When Rita Moreno met Leonard Bernstein
True story. I was approximately 38 years of age. It happened at ‘Louie’s Backyard’, (the beautiful restaurant). My editor, Risa Kessler was down from NYC. I never dined in/at the restaurant then as I was too busy cooking. BUT she was my editor and a force of nature and delight….
LULU’S PROVENCAL TABLE
1998 April 1st: Janet, our son Justin and I flew to Paris. We met with our great friends Proal, Connie and the children Rebecca and Matthew. A Family Vacation!! The first night we dined at ‘L’ Ami Louis’ on the 2nd. It was coming down in sheets when we arrived and…
JEREMIAH TOWER; MY TREASURE BOOK SERIES
The first time I met him in person I was speechless for a few moments. That is something that doesn’t happen very often. I was thrilled a few years later when I was invited to cook a dinner for the ‘Tenth Anniversary of Food Arts Magazine” at The Plaza Hotel…
Tapas; A Treasure Book
In 2004 we opened a sprawling restaurant in Coral Gables. I knew we needed to be quite a bit different than my original restaurant both in concept and price points. This would be a more casual, boisterous place with lunch and dinner as well as a market within the 10K…
AVENTURA MAGAZINE’S ‘FOODIE ISSUE’
Sara Liss the fine Miami based writer has penned a cover article for the rich ‘Foodie Issue’ Aventura Magazine. Take the link over to page 70 to begin reading it and enjoying the dishes my chef/colleagues/pals Brad Kilgore, Scott Lindquist, Michael Schwartz and Andrew Mayer assembled in the home of…