One of our favorite Celebrity Chefs Emily Ellyn will be presenting a canning demonstration at the Winter Park Public Library on March 13th at 7:00 PM. She will share her “retro rad” tips for preserving foods in different seasons, provide tasty samples of her Retro Rad preserves, and answer your questions about putting up your own preserves. Event is complementary to the public, but sitting is limited. To register, visit the Master Calendar at http://www.wppl.org. I will see you there!!!
My favorite strawberries are chocolate covered from the Peterbrooke Chocolatier of Winter Park!!!!
On March 6th, the Winter Park Library will host a book signing event at the Alfond Inn featuring five celebrity chefs and cookbook authors: John Rivers, 4 Rivers Smokehouse and the COOP; Brandon McGlamery, Prato, Luma on Park; Hollis Wilder, three-time winner of Food Network’s “Cupcake Wars” and owner of Sweet by Holly; Norman Van Aken, Norman’s at the Ritz-Carlton in Orlando; and Richard Gonzmart, co-owner of the Columbia Restaurants.
When did you know that you wanted to become a chef?
Birth! I have known I wanted to cook and be part of the hospitality industry since birth! My mother used to prop my sister and I up in our bassinets and we would watch her cook, can and jam. When we got older we were cooking right beside her!
At about the age of 12 I over heard the “adults’ talking about my second cousin who had gone to the Culinary Institute of America and it was perceived as THE BEST!! So, right there and then I had my sights set on the CIA.
I applied when I was 17 and on my 18th birthday I got a phone call that said I got accepted and did I want to start in July or October! I said October…moved to the CIA and started my culinary education. I was always working through school, but at the CIA I assisted the chefs with a lot of continuing education classes and then after my bachelors program at the CIA I stayed on and did a teaching assistantship where I taught all the baking students how to own and operate a café! Right then and there I knew I would be teaching, consulting, or mentoring people for the rest of my life! Lots of education and I am still teaching – my goal is to be on TV so I can touch a greater audience!
Did you know that Margarita is the most popular tequila-based cocktail in the United Stated? It is quite easy to make, here is a recipe : 1 oz of tequila, dash of triple sec, squeezed juice from a half of the lime. Rub the rim of a stem glass with rind of lime, spin in salt—pour Margarita in the glass over crashed ice, stir, and sip.
Margarita was invented in Mexico and was brought to the United Stated in 1940’s. It was first served in the Hilton Hotels. Let’s celebrate National Margarita Day!!! Cheers!!!!
Chef Emeterio “Tello” Luna, Head Chef of 98Forty Tapas & Tequila at Rosen Centre, 9840 International Drive, Orlando, Florida. 98Forty Tapas & Tequila offers upscale authentic Mexican dishes and a fine assortment of rare and premium tequilas.
We’ve seen Emily Ellyn competing on the Food Network’s TV shows such as “Food Network Star” and “Cupcake Wars” and many of us fall in love with her quirky personality. But did you know that in addition to her TV career, she have earned two master’s degrees in Hospitality Management from the Academie Internationale de Management in Paris, France and UCF’s Rosen College of Hospitality and Management in Orlando? Currently Emily is finishing her Ph.D. in Food Service Education, teaching Home Economics at the UCF, working on her Retro RAD TV career, traveling around the world, hosting special events and cooking a lot of fun in many famous kitchens of America. The sky is the limit for Emily!! I have a privilege to know this fun loving and incredibly talented chef, so I couldn’t resist asking her one question:
What does Retro RAD mean to you?
Retro Rad is in all of us – we are all products of our past and are working on remixing to make better!
AND, I started with Retro Rad at a VERY young age! My aunt made me a poodle skirt when I was in grade school and I wore it until the poodle ran off! I also would BEG my mom to draw cat-eyes on with eye liner! At about 10 my mom said it was time to learn about the entire era not just the cool fashion pieces!
She bought her and I a matching pair of saddle shoes and took me to a REAL American 1950s diner – sooooo retro rad!! I fell in love! I had a strawberry shake, cheeseburger and fried pickles…I also was allowed to feed the jukebox with quarters!
It resonated with me that when I put the glasses on and the neat dresses and I take myself to the times when it was easy and perfect! Where perfect homes were effortless like during the times of “Leave it to Beaver!”
As a result I am am embracing this Retro Rad persona and hope to give EVERYONE who tunes in a half an hour or an hour of that safe perfect space to be able to create, cook, escape or just be yourself!!
Ellyn knows that Retro Rad hits a special heart string with the masses because they constantly tell her! For one they feel comfortable approaching her and her Retro Rad point of view because they can relate! Viewers constantly say that “Emily Ellyn reminds them of an updated version of their mom,” that Ellyn brings back “the special memories,” and most importantly “inspires them to remember, revisit, and remake their old favorites!”
Renowned Celebrity Chef Emeril Lagasse talks with Orlando’s Celebrity Chef Kevin Fonzo about his involvement in the local community. Chef Kevin Fonzo was recognized by Michelle Obama for his work in promoting healthy eating at the local school, Orlando Junior Academy. Throughout his successful career as a chef and owner of the K Restaurant in College Park, he has been a role model for all of the aspiring Chefs across America. To learn more about Chef Kevin Fonzo watch this video.
by Irina Pabis
Recently I was invited to check out an amazing art-inspired coffee shop in Winter Park called Sleeping Moon Café. It is a relaxing spot with tons of the original art work, soothing music, freshly prepared food and welcoming staff. I loved the couch right in the middle of the dining room that makes you feel like home, so you can sit back, relax and enjoy this unique atmosphere. In addition to specialty coffees and teas, the Sleeping Moon Café offers a variety of sandwiches, soups, salads and traditional Turkish dishes. Growing up on the south of Russia, I am accustomed to Turkish food and I was so excited to have some of the specialties served at the Sleeping Moon Café such as homemade hummus, Turkish coffee prepared in a special coffee pot, cezve, and of course Turkish sweet delights. I have to tell you, it instantly brought me back to my childhood. Sleeping Moon Café with its creative ambiance is certainly an awesome place where great coffee meets great Art!
by Irina Pabis
celebritychef4u 