Living in Key West during the very early part of my life and cooking career the influences that were powerful were Cuban first and then Bahamian and then Southern. It created the foundation that started me off on what I have come to call, “New World Cuisine”. But when life…
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Santi Santamaria, The Gentle Genius of San Celoni
It all began with a conversation in an espresso house in New Orleans with my two great friends Charlie Trotter and Emeril Lagasse. They said, “You must come and see “The Pope” with us”. I knew they didn’t mean the Holy Pontiff in Rome they meant Chef Frédy Girardet in…
ORLANDO MAGAZINE NAMES ‘NORMAN’S’ BEST RESTAURANT
For Immediate Release: October 29th, 2024 I am very excited and proud to announce that our restaurant, “Norman’s Orlando” has won the 2024 Reader’s Choice Dining Awards for “The Best Restaurant in Orlando”! This award means so much to us for several reasons. To stand out in such a talent…
The Cooking of Southwest France by Paula Wolfert; Treasure Book
Paula Wolfert (born 1938) is an American author of nine books on cooking and the winner of numerous cookbook awards including what is arguably the top honor given in the food world: The James Beard Foundation Medal For Lifetime Achievement. A specialist in Mediterranean food, she has written extensively on…
ANDREA NGUYEN on ‘DUMPLINGS’!
I have been fan of cookbook author and cooking teacher Andrea Nguyen for years. Something clicked in me long ago when it came to the cuisine of Vietnam. My first mentor on that vast and nuanced cuisine was Nicole Routhier. I remain a dedicated admirer and a friend of hers….
THE COOKING OF DANIEL BOULUD
In 1997 we published our third cookbook, “Norman’s New World Cuisine” with Random House. It came about due to the combination of my friendship with (and ‘mutual adoration society’ member) Maida Heatter and the legendary editor Jason Epstein. I was very lucky to have such a proponents of my cooking….
JOIN ME ON SUBSTACK!
The one thing we know, especially at this age for some of us, is that life is always changing. It is so true of tech and what we know about it … or don’t! I am thankful that I had so many years to hone my crafts of cooking and…
MADHUR JAFFREY; A TREASURE BOOK
Google this woman’s amazing life for an example of one who has and continues to have an adventure filled life. She was an international movie star while still quite young and living in India, her native country. Then in her 30’s she began to write her cookbooks. Indian cuisine naturally…
A Celebration ’90 at 90′ Gala for Mentor Jacques Pépin; Orlando
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…
Saveur Cooks Authentic American
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…
THE FLORIDA COOKBOOK, Caroline Stuart and Jeanne Voltz
We recently lost a true pioneer of Florida cookbook authors, Ms. Caroline Stuart. You can watch this video for some of my recollections of that wonderful person. I learned a great deal from her and will be forever in her debt. I hope that someone does a proper documentary on…
The Laurel Hotel and Spa, Auburn
As pre-arranged a gentleman named Jarald picked Janet and I up at the Atlanta airport around 1:30. We’d come in from Miami. Nice man with a soft Texas accent I would guess. He transported us to the college town of Auburn in Alabama. The ride was smooth with some gently…
’90 at 90′ A Night to Celebrate the Legendary 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…
‘River of Dreams’, Billy Joel
Recently I was asked by a magazine writer to name my ‘favorite Billy Joel song’. That is a tough ask. To pick my all-time fave tune from a man that has sold out Madison Square Garden more than any other artist? I mean come on! I was struck dumb. He…
SUSAN BRUSTMAN; A FORCE OF JOY
Many people will be familiar with the work Susan Brustman did in our South Florida hospitality community via the company she founded, “Brustman Carrino Public Relations”. And for most her success would be awe inspiring enough for two lifetimes. I was one of the lucky ones that got to know…
SISTER JANE. MY FIRST MENTOR
Sitting on our front steps in West Shore Park With a pal at Hawthorn Mellody Farms zoo. Me between Jane and Bet, my beautiful Sisters. My Sister Jane passed away in late August. I’ve been giving it time … to think about her and what having her be my sister…