by erin thursby scopes1925@msn.com
With a practiced hand, Chef Tony Corrente of The Chef’s Garden, sliced up heirloom tomatoes as he told the crowd how to prepare a fresh vinaigrette for a delicious Heirloom Tomato Salad at the recent Simon Mall Super Chefs event.
Heirloom tomatoes, which may not have the uniform red appearance of more commercially bred tomatoes, are in season and bursting with flavor. Chef Corrente let the audience in on the open secret that adds so much to tomato-based dishes in some of the finest restaurants in and around Jacksonville. The Chef also did a step-by-step demo of his stuffed chicken wrapped in bacon.
Next, Chad Munsey of San Marco wine spot, The Grotto, spoke about “Summer Wines” as part of his lifestyle wine segment. Wine can certainly enhance any meal, if you know how to choose the right one.
This was the beginning of the all day Super Chefs event. It’s held every year in the Avenues Mall and it’s a free event. Mark it on your calendar for next year if you missed it this year.
The big draw for the event was Daisy Martinez, of the PBS show Daisy Cooks! She’s brought Latin cuisine and her big heart into many homes through her show. Born to Puerto Rican parents in Brooklyn, New York, she learned the love and joy of the kitchen from her parents and grandparents. She recently came off a book tour for her cookbook Daisy Cooks! Latin Flavors That Will Rock Your World. We got the chance to speak to her backstage at the event.
Since Latin desserts are featured in her book, I asked about some of the wonderful Latin desserts that are finally becoming part of general American culture.
“We have wonderful stuff with different cream fillings…and desserts like tres leche…I think the mainstream is getting more interested in Latin foods. Mainstream organizations like Haagen Daas—dolce de leche is now the new vanilla…With this renaissance, this new interest in Latin flavors, culture and cuisine, I think we’ll be seeing a lot more [Latin food].”
Going on her recent book tour really validated things for her, since she doesn’t get to interact with fans while taping her show. On her book tour she had people coming up to her and asking about her family members, because fans feel a connection to her through her television show.
“I’ve invited them through the television into my home, into my family. They know my children’s names, my dog’s name.”
Connecting with her fans in real life is what makes events like the Simon Mall Super Chef event so special to her.
As a country of immigrants, she says, people worked hard to “recreate the experience of home…People from all ethnicities say to me (whether they’re Asian, orthodox Jewish or Italian): ‘Sundays at my grandmother’s house was just like that!’ [They] come around a table for security, love and celebration no matter where they are or where they come from. It’s a commonality that binds us all.”
Daisy judged the final event at the Super Chefs Event, a cook-off between Chef Tony Corrente and Mark Oellerich (of The Charthouse). The two chefs used “mystery ingredients” to put together a quick meal in less than 15 minutes, cheered on by Jacksonville Jaguar cheerleaders. Daisy and the audience eventually found the contest to be a tie.
Each of the Simon Mall Properties holds fun and interesting events, free to the public. The annual Super Chef event, which tours the country at different malls, is the premiere free event of the year at the Avenues. Check the Simon Mall website for future events. You can buy Daisy Martinez’s cookbook at any area bookstore.
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