By: Rachel Slaiman
Eating is something we all have to do to stay alive and survive. Eating is also something we enjoy doing alone or with family. And eating is something that simply makes us happy. Eating may be the fun part, yet trying new foods for some people is very cautious. People do naturally eat with their eyes first before even asking the chef, “What did you make?”
Some cooks and chefs you associate with right away when you hear their name like Paula Dean and southern cooking, Bobby Flay and southwestern cooking and Masaharu Morimoto and Japanese cooking.
Since there are so many great chefs, here is a small sample of chefs that cook Latin American food. Of course the easiest way to try out their food without actually going to their restaurant, which would be nice, is to go to their website or cookbook and try their recipe. There is a difference with seeing the chef cook, but also there is a different kind of experience trying the recipe out for family and friends.
Chef Aaron Sanchez
Chef Sanchez is a restaurateur, television personal, consultant, spokesperson and author. He is never hard to recognize on the Food Network show Chopped as a guest judge and has previously competed in cooking competitions for charity. He is the owner and executive chef of Centrico restaurant, located in New York City, and Mestizo, located in Kansas City. For the cookbook lovers, his cookbooks include La Comida del Barrio (2003) and Simple Food, Big Flavor: Unforgettable Mexican-Inspired Recipes from My Kitchen to Yours (2011). Check out his website http://chefaaronsanchez.com/.
Chef Jose Garces
Some chefs are inspired to become an Iron Chef and for Chef Jose Garces, his mission was completed in 2009 when he became just that. Opening up several restaurants may also be on a chef’s to do list in their career and for Garces, he has opened seven successful ones around the Philadelphia area including Amada, Tinto, Distrito, Chifa, Village Whiskey, Garces Trading Company and, most recently, JG Domestics. With his already acclaimed success, there is no guessing that he has opened more restaurants in Philadelphia. Check out the site http://www.visitphilly.com/restaurants-dining/jose-garces-restaurants/ for more information.
Chef Marciel Presilla
Any women going into the culinary industry knows that it is tough and they are up against, well, several men. But that is not something to be afraid of for Chef Marciel Presilla. Presilla is a culinary historian where she specializes in foods of Latin America and Spain. Based in Hoboken, New Jersey, she writes a weekly food column for the Miami Herald, and enjoys collecting recipes when she is traveling around. Located in Hoboken, Presilla opened a Latin American store and cooking atelier called Ultramarinos. At the store she sells Latin ingredients, prepared foods, chocolates, and her own line of truffles with none other than Latin flavors. Check her website for more about her stores, food and information at http://www.maricelpresilla.com/bio.html.
Chef Lourdes Castro
Chef Castro is a cookbook author and teacher based in New York, New York. A daring self taught chef, she has written many cookbooks including Simply Mexican (2009), Eat, Drink, Think in Spanish (2009), and Latin Grilling ( 2011). Of her books, Simply Mexican was one of the best 25 cookbooks in 2009 and Latin Grilling was one of the top 10 cookbooks in 2011 from iVilliage.com selection. To find out more about this self taught chef, check out her website at http://www.lourdes-castro.com/LourdesCastro/Lourdes.html.
So with two men and two women, all with successful careers as restaurateurs, cookbooks, teaching and more, there is no reason not to try their food without having to fly to where they are. This is the inexpensive way to have a Latin inspired dinner in your own home and make the delicious food just like your new and favorite chefs. Happy cooking!
