June 20th, 2009 by raffie

Falcon, Venezuela Paraguana Peninsula (Paraguana Peninsula)

Promoting healthy living and lifestyles is a two way street.  It’s not just what we consume but also what we do with what we have.  When I’m on the boat off at sea I keep a healthy dose of the Elliptical Trainer…when I touch down I take the wheels off and try to get into whatever I can. 

The only way to digest two arepas I had for breakfast at El Sabor de Coromoto was to set sail. I figure Kite boarding is a 1000 calories work out. After 2 hours of navigation this full body blast will have you exhausted. Shoulders, legs, core strength and balance — What else do you want?

 I like the adrenaline rush it gives me but also the physical resistance it offers without putting too much pressure and hard impact on my joints. Hey…I gotta think about those things!

I like every part, from getting my mind and sail right at set-up, to ramping it up to 25 knots on the open seas, to the relationships I’ve been able to build.  Here’s me and my friend from Germany “El Electrico”.

We had a blast!!!

Easily as good and exciting as making mojitos and tapas for yachties on a day off in the ship yard!!

June 9th, 2009 by raffie

Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Las Orquideas Restaurante

As we face the stresses of life and the pursuit of happiness it’s no wonder when life throws us a curve ball, or you find yourself out of your “zone”, many find comfort in food.

Hmmmmm! Arepas, my favorite! 

We talked about these earlier…

No matter where I am or what I’m dealing with (example: provisions for the summer season) if I can kick off my day with a South American breakfast it puts me at ease and allows me to take the day in stride. And when I’m at my home away from home in South Florida no place does it better than the gang at Las Orquideas. Enjoy!

  

June 9th, 2009 by raffie

Falcon, Venezuela Paraguana Peninsula (Paraguana Peninsula)

El Sabor de Coromoto Restaurante

  

An arepa is a bread made of corn originating from the northern Andes in South America, and which has now spread to other areas in Latin America.

The word “arepa” may originate from the language of the Caracas natives (north coast of Venezuela) that means “maize.”

An arepa is typically a flat, unleavened patty made of precooked cornmeal which can be grilled, baked, or fried. The characteristics of the arepa vary from region to region: It may vary by color, flavor, size, thickness, garniture, and also the types of food stuffed within.

In this particular region of the Paraguana Peninsula in Falcon, Venezuela, I had the opportunity to meet Coromoto at El Sabor de Coromoto. This is a great place for breakfast in Adicora — a town 40 minutes from Punto Fijo Falcon state in Venezuela.

This is also a prime place for kite surfing and has been visited by thousands of extreme sport seekers from around the world! If you ever find yourself in Adicora visit El Sabor de Coromoto for a GREAT treat of Arepas. My favorite was with Cazon(Shark)!

                                       

Coromoto the restaurant owner is a hard working woman in constantly pursuing a better future for herself and family. 

Bravo Coromoto!I look forward to seeing you again and having another extraordinary breakfast treat!

Peace.

CR 

PS. If you eat it you gotta burn it off!  Stay tuned for my kite surfing adventure!

 

June 6th, 2009 by raffie

Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Marina Market

Well, I guess it’s not “Spring Training” like they do in Major League Baseball or just “Camp” which is now underway in the NFL. But hey, I gotta get ready for the season just like the rest of them.

For me its the pre-season for the summer yachting season and I’m busy pulling together everything I’ll need to be my best on the next mission. 

Ride with me!

CR

June 6th, 2009 by raffie

Caracas, Venezuela

Pastry Chef Irabert Cruz (Workshop)

Chef Cruz let me in on a wealth of her pastry knowledge.  

I’d tell you how she’s able to cut prep time and half, not to mention a technique that allows your cakes to retain the moisture and freshness days after they’re baked but  that’s classified info..

Haahaa!! We’ll get to that later. 

One thing that I was really turned onto was how she uses alternative garnishing made of gelatin and sugar cane.  Providing a totally edible garnishment that is also healthy.  Check it out!

Click on “Home” to the right to return to my site homepage!

www.chefraffie.com

June 6th, 2009 by raffie

Caracas, Venezuela

If you’re alert and live in the present you never know what life will bring your way. As I’ve said before…This site and my pursuit of knowledge and awareness as a whole is a sign of respect and appreciation for all the great chefs throughout time — and really out of respect to people in all professions and walks of life that dream big, work persistently, and rise in the face of adversity to do what they’re most passionate about.        

Miss Cruz of Caracas in my native Venezuela is running more than a successful pastry business in the city of Velencia.  

After establishing herself in the corporate world Cruz did the unthinkable.  Leaving a lucrative salary and stability in pursuit of her dreams.

This is her story, but your kidding yourself if you considered the decision to be an easy one.

Miss Cruz faced hurdles and obstacles, wishers of misfortune and periods of doubt in pursuit of her heart and true happiness.

But with dedication, conviction, humility and an unwavering faith she’s climbed to the top of the culinary business.

Today Cruz carves out her own destiny in all aspects of life which not only gives her the freedoms to be a top rate chef and business owner but, also the dedicated mother of two beautiful young boys.

I think we can all relate to having aspirations that might be outside the box of conventional wisdom.  Cruz proves sometimes you just gotta go for it!

Not only was I able to attend a pair of her workshops that will prove dividends in my own pastry game..What I took away were life less, food for thought, that will long outlast my time in the kitchen.

She is living proof that when you are truthful with yourself in your personal life success is sure to follow in your professional endeavors.  

Make the world a better place and share your true talents and compassion with others!!

Don’t follow the masses…follow your heart and it will lead you to the top of the game — that’s what I learned.

Believe in yourself.  Become Legendary!

Peace.

CR

           

           

May 31st, 2009 by raffie

Northside, St. Thomas (U.S. Virgin Islands)

Come on now,  Bryant Terry and some others are changing the way we look at food and I’ll be the first to give credit where credit is due… but I’m certainly not a spectator!!!  

Vegan cuisine isn’t only the future of food.. it’s now!  Get in the game and take a trip with me down the road less traveled —  Learn to appreciate all the natural beauty the Caribbean has to offer. Casava!

Yea Mon!

CR

www.chefraffie.com

April 20th, 2009 by raffie

Up until now food shows have been serving the upper end of the food chain. Unfortunately, the food and the “cookie cutter” approach is becoming more and more foreign to the  masses.

How to find a new way to get the message across…

It might surprise you to learn but I think actor and musician Andre Benjamin of the rap group Outkasts may have said it best, “Find your niche…and freak it.”

It’s like the question my mother so often posed when I was just a youngster knocking things off the counter in our small kitchen in Venezuela. Are you a leader?  Or a follower?

Well, there’s a young brother oozing with talent who is carving his own path and has established himself as one of the leaders of the pack. By educating our youth to understand the link between diet and health, building more just and sustainable cooking systems and including our youngsters in the conversation it’s fair to say Bryant Terry has found his niche.

But he’s doing it a different way…Check out Terry’s new book, Vegan Soul Kitchen: Fresh, Healthy, and Creative African-American Cuisine.

He’s used his Memphis roots and infused the Southern flavors of his childhood with fresh, whole, animal free recipes at just a fraction of the cost we are used to shelling out.

Come on healthy Southern foods?  This is the true future of cooking!!

 I’ve been asked to be  a special guests along side Terry at upcoming conference. The Future of Food: Transatlantic Perspectives Saturday, May 9th @ Boston University’s School of Law. 

I’m so honored to have been selected amongst my peers to share the knowledge I’ve been blessed with throughout the years.  

Learning is for Life.

Peace.

CR

April 12th, 2009 by raffie

Chelsea Market - New York, NY

Every Wednesday and Saturday in, “Hell Kitchen” located right below the film studios for the Food Network you will find “The Knife Sharpening Lady”.

You can find anything in NYC, even true love — atleast when it comes to sharpening your knifes that is.  So, twice a week some of most esteemed chefs and other cooks from all other walks of life drop their tools of the trade off to be sharpened by this lovely lady.

Affectionately known as just “Margery”, Ms. Cohen’s sharpening is second to none.  When it comes to giving your knifes the TLC they need after taking a beating in the kitchen this young lady will not let you down.

For me it’s almost theraputic watching her work — all the while maintaining a Zen like state of mind while in constant motion with the knives. In a way it reminds me of when I’m reducing a sauce that will eventually decorate and enhance a dish for my client.

We both agree that if there’s a job worth doing, it’s a job worth doing right. That common ground and mutual respect for the way she approaches her craft makes, “The Knife Lady” a sure stop anytime I’m in the city and need to sharpen up my blades.

However, regardless if I’m in Manhattan or in the Grenadine Islands we both (Margery and I) are sharpening our dreams of making this world a better place for future generations one day at a time.  And it’s my hope that the same is for you!!

Put your own stamp on the world today…Be the catalyst for the type of change you wish to see in the world!

Cheers!

CR

If you are in the area give her a visit and say hello on my behalf!

Chelsea Market

75 9th [Between 15th and 16 Streets]

New York, NY 1001

March 20th, 2009 by raffie