‘culinary arts’

Cooking it up with Chef Marcus Samuelsson

Friday, June 18th, 2010

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Yesterday evening we were off to see a cooking demo at Macy’s at North Point Mall. Chef Marcus Samuelsson was the cook who prepared some good cuisines. You may remember him from winning Top Chef on the reality show on Bravo.

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He told the audience that he was from Sweden/Ethiopia. He has traveled the world with his different recipes and combining all sorts of ethnic food together. Pia and I sat in the 2nd row back and we could smell all the different aromas.

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I took a lot of good notes on how to prepare fishes and seafoods. Marcus said in his country they ate a lot of fish. He began to cook salmon and asked who didn’t cook fish that much. I raised my hand and he invited me on stage!

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He also invited another lady up as well. He then prepared the fish but to me it didn’t look cooked enough and he assured me that it was done. I still wasn’t buying it and hate to eat raw foods or anything that looks weird lol.

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Salmon and Corn Pancakes

Marcus said, “Tami it’s seared”, I said, “I saw you do that but it still looks mooshy” lol. The crowd was laughing at me as I hopped up and down because I was so scared to try it lol.

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Crab Cakes with Corn

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Fried Chicken with Collard Greens

He put it back in the pan and then gave it to me to try. It was good but I was terrified. Then he wanted us to try fish skin. I just smiled but was thinking, what did I get myself into. Once it was ready to eat he put a lil sauce on it and it was bon appetite lol. It wasn’t too bad and reminded me of pork rinds lol.

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James Andrews and I

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Black Tie Barbecue owners, Spencer and Allison

He prepared several meals like Fried chicken and collard greens, Crab Cakes with Corn and Pistachio Aioli, and Corn Pancakes with Chili-Covered Gavlax. All his dishes were very tasty especially his version of fried chicken,sooo good!

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Our Macy’s goody bags items,cute

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Chef Marcus and I

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Chef Marcus converse kicks lol

Right now he is touring and has a restaurant in NYC where he also lives. He has a new book out too called, “New American Table“. He has such a great personality and I hope his career goes very well. Enjoy the pics and Happy Friday! Shout out to Macy’s for the invite!

www.marcussamuelsson.com

Cuban Chef Bren Herrera!

Friday, June 26th, 2009
sitting on chair2 300x233 Cuban Chef Bren Herrera!
TalkingWithTami:  Hello Bren it was so nice to find you on twitter lol. Tell us how the love affair started with you and the kitchen?

Love affair was inevitable as a Latina. Growing up in a very traditional Cuban home meant eating all the time. My mom had 6 hungry mouths to feed, including my dad, so she spent a lot of time in the kitchen. I would help as much as I could, and really just loved learning her method. Everyone that ate her food would rave like I’ve never seen before. She made, and still makes cooking look so special. After all, for us Latinas, we cook from our souls and with lots of love. It’s important to our guests to leave with a very full stomach!

 
TalkingwithTami: Whats some of your specialty dishes that you like to prepare?
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I don’t have a favorite dish to prepare, but I do make a mean ropa vieja (pulled flank steak) and rabo ensendido (peppered oxtail), both in my vintage pressure cooker! What I’m known for is flan, a traditional Latin custard which is to die for! I have about 40 different flavors!

 
TalkingWithTami: You also are an singer, what types of music do you like to perform?
sing Cuban Chef Bren Herrera!

Yes, yes! I am a frustrated musician and singer! Lol! I’ve been lucky enough to peform Gospel, Jazz, House and R & B in Spain and few states here in the US. I’m currently working on my 1st album which is a fusion between Funk, jazz, Latin rythym and classical music.

 
TalkingWithTami: In todays changing world can you tell us why its important to learn and do some many fun things?

Truthfully, I’m of the philosophy that the more you know, the better equipped you are to deal with life. Being well-rounded makes me more culturally sensitive, tolerant and gives me the chance to be well spoken about many things with so many different people, globally. I love learning and trying new things and being exposed to people from all around the world. Plus, if you are knowledgeable in things outside of your personal realm, your opportunities in business are limitless!

 
TalkingWithTami: Tell me a destination spot that you would love to visit and why?
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Ahh, there are about 10 places on my hit list! But right now, I really want to go to Maldives. It is absolutely stunning, peaceful and remote. I want to go there and disconnect from everything and everyone (well, except from my parents and siblings!). It’ll be a time for physical and emotional renewal!
www.brenherrera.com or www.flanboyanteats.com 
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Atlanta’s very own Chef Jamika on Food Network!

Wednesday, June 3rd, 2009

download 300x214 Atlantas very own Chef Jamika on Food Network!

Congratulations are in order for Chef Jamika Pessoa! She is a friend of mine and she was on my show a couple of years back.She is a finalist on Next Food Star! Im so proud of her! Here is a lady that is really an inspiration to others because she never gave up! Go Jamika Go! You can vote for her by going to: www.foodnetwork.com/star . She will be on sunday June 17th at 9pm

www.chefjamika.com