Written/Posted by Faiyaz Kara
For some, like orange-hued braggarts who “reject the idea of globalism,” the term “fusion cuisine” is worthy of scorn and revulsion. But like it or not, the term is a celebration of diversity, a celebration of “immigrant food” and a celebration of our ever-evolving palates.
Our state’s most notable chef, Norman Van Aken (Norman’s, 1921 by Norman Van Aken, Three at the Wynwood Arcade), was one of the first to marry the seemingly disparate flavors of the Caribbean, Latin America, West Africa and the Middle East with those of Europe in a movement dubbed “New World Cuisine.”
In his book Norman Van Aken’s Florida Kitchen, he writes:
“…As I leaned away from conventional cuisine and craned forward like a voyager in the bow of a ship heading into the wind, I read the words of the French philosopher-historian Jean-François Revel. It was his seminal work, Culture and Cuisine: A Journey Through the History of Food, that helped me to focus my spyglass on the cuisine that America would soon be belly-deep in.”
And belly-full in.
Van Aken’s exploration eventually saw him open numerous restaurants, the longest-surviving of which is Norman’s at the Ritz-Carlton, Grande Lakes.
On Saturday, Van Aken will celebrate the 15th anniversary of his eponymous restaurant in what’s sure to be the highlight of this year’s local culinary calendar.
The epic seven-course dinner (menu below) will be presented by an expectedly diverse lineup of James Beard Award-winning and -nominated chefs, namely:
- Ming Tsai (Blue Dragon)
- Carrie Nahabedian (Brindille)
- Edward Lee (610 Magnolia)
Additionally, chefs Camilo Velasco (1921) and Andres Mendoza (Norman’s) will join Scott Pizzo (chef de cuisine, Highball & Harvest), Stephane Cheremy (executive pastry chef, Highball & Harvest) and Fabrizio Schenardi (executive chef, Four Seasons Resort, Orlando) in presenting the very fusiony fare.
Wines will be paired by master sommeliers Virginia Philip, Brian Koziol, Juan Gomez, Laura DePasquale and Master of Wine Jean Reilly.
Happy anniversary, Norman’s! And here’s to 15 more.
Details:
Norman’s 15th Anniversary Dinner
6:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 29
For tickets ($250) call 407-393-4333