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!

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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