1 00:00:03,640 --> 00:00:07,080 Speaker 1: I love cooking Mexican food. I love cooking American food. 2 00:00:07,120 --> 00:00:09,160 Speaker 1: I'm really good at also diet food. I wish I 3 00:00:09,160 --> 00:00:11,280 Speaker 1: could cook a little more. I'm a chef, but I 4 00:00:11,280 --> 00:00:14,240 Speaker 1: can hold my own. I have good sasson what are 5 00:00:14,240 --> 00:00:16,119 Speaker 1: like some easy tips that you can give people to 6 00:00:16,200 --> 00:00:18,520 Speaker 1: just make healthy choices. If you're going to make a 7 00:00:18,600 --> 00:00:21,639 Speaker 1: decision to make a change, you really got to do 8 00:00:21,680 --> 00:00:26,440 Speaker 1: a purge in your pantry. There's a lot more Mexican 9 00:00:26,680 --> 00:00:30,120 Speaker 1: restaurants in New York, more Puerto Rican restaurants, So I 10 00:00:30,160 --> 00:00:32,839 Speaker 1: think now that these restaurants are kind of popping up, 11 00:00:32,840 --> 00:00:40,479 Speaker 1: there's definitely a lot more space for a lot and chefs. 12 00:00:40,479 --> 00:00:43,080 Speaker 1: Happy Monday. If this is your first time listening to 13 00:00:43,200 --> 00:00:46,280 Speaker 1: Cheeks and Chill podcast, welcome If you're one of my 14 00:00:46,320 --> 00:00:50,040 Speaker 1: incredible subscribers, welcome back. I'm your host, cheek Ease, and 15 00:00:50,080 --> 00:00:52,000 Speaker 1: today we're going to be talking about one of my 16 00:00:52,080 --> 00:00:56,840 Speaker 1: favorite topics food. We have the most amazing guest for 17 00:00:56,880 --> 00:00:59,080 Speaker 1: you today, so let's hop right into this week's episode. 18 00:00:59,120 --> 00:01:08,720 Speaker 1: This is Cheeky Ease and Chill. I'm really looking forward 19 00:01:08,760 --> 00:01:11,040 Speaker 1: to today's show because if you know me, you know 20 00:01:11,280 --> 00:01:14,240 Speaker 1: I love food. I've always loved food, and I love 21 00:01:14,280 --> 00:01:16,040 Speaker 1: to cook as well. Many people don't know that, but 22 00:01:16,080 --> 00:01:17,640 Speaker 1: I like to cook, as you guys know. I have 23 00:01:17,680 --> 00:01:20,560 Speaker 1: a chickie keto book. It's called Cheese Ketto and it 24 00:01:20,720 --> 00:01:23,600 Speaker 1: is a book about keto. But when I started doing 25 00:01:23,680 --> 00:01:27,920 Speaker 1: Keto lifestyle, I couldn't find any like you know, Like 26 00:01:27,959 --> 00:01:31,160 Speaker 1: I'm Mexican, I want spice, I want flavor, you know. 27 00:01:31,280 --> 00:01:33,319 Speaker 1: So I did it with my friend Sarah. I love 28 00:01:33,360 --> 00:01:36,880 Speaker 1: cooking Mexican food. I love cooking American food. I'm really 29 00:01:36,880 --> 00:01:40,440 Speaker 1: good at also like quote unquote diet food. But anyways, 30 00:01:41,240 --> 00:01:43,759 Speaker 1: I think now is a good time to welcome our guest, 31 00:01:43,959 --> 00:01:46,479 Speaker 1: chef Aerial Fox. You might know her from the hit 32 00:01:46,560 --> 00:01:50,520 Speaker 1: show Hell's Kitchen, hosted by chef Gordon Ramsey. She was 33 00:01:50,560 --> 00:01:52,840 Speaker 1: a contestant on season six and came back on the 34 00:01:52,880 --> 00:01:56,000 Speaker 1: show to compete in season eighteen, which she won. By 35 00:01:56,040 --> 00:01:59,600 Speaker 1: the way, She's currently the regional vice president of culinary 36 00:02:00,120 --> 00:02:04,640 Speaker 1: at Del Friscos and Dulls Caminos restaurants. She also has 37 00:02:04,680 --> 00:02:09,240 Speaker 1: a new cookbook called Spice Kitchen, Healthy Latin and Caribbean Cuisine. 38 00:02:09,280 --> 00:02:12,240 Speaker 1: Sounds interesting. I love that. Chef Ariel, Welcome to the show. 39 00:02:12,280 --> 00:02:15,400 Speaker 1: How are you good? Good? Thank you for having me. 40 00:02:15,520 --> 00:02:18,960 Speaker 1: I'm excited to be here, okay, Ariel. So, like I 41 00:02:18,960 --> 00:02:21,799 Speaker 1: said earlier, we are talking about like my one of 42 00:02:21,840 --> 00:02:25,000 Speaker 1: my favorite subjects food, and I can't remember like when 43 00:02:25,000 --> 00:02:26,679 Speaker 1: I was little at my grandma's house. I was raised 44 00:02:26,680 --> 00:02:30,080 Speaker 1: by my grandma. There were always always like beans on 45 00:02:30,120 --> 00:02:34,600 Speaker 1: the stove. The house always smells like yeah, with a 46 00:02:34,600 --> 00:02:36,400 Speaker 1: little bit of pine sulk because my grandma, which is 47 00:02:36,440 --> 00:02:38,440 Speaker 1: clean all day, but I would always smell the beans 48 00:02:38,560 --> 00:02:41,119 Speaker 1: and that's what we would eat almost every single day. 49 00:02:41,480 --> 00:02:45,639 Speaker 1: It was like beans with potatoes, and there was always 50 00:02:45,720 --> 00:02:48,799 Speaker 1: right some type of protein. So what are your earliest 51 00:02:48,800 --> 00:02:52,200 Speaker 1: memories being in the kitchen? Well, I grew up with, 52 00:02:52,280 --> 00:02:54,280 Speaker 1: you know, a couple of grandmothers, as a lot of 53 00:02:54,360 --> 00:02:56,800 Speaker 1: us do, and I had my grandmother on my Latin 54 00:02:56,840 --> 00:02:59,520 Speaker 1: side and my grandmother on my Irish and German side. 55 00:02:59,680 --> 00:03:03,400 Speaker 1: It's funny because I have mixed memories very South American 56 00:03:03,480 --> 00:03:09,320 Speaker 1: cuisine and then very European cuisine. But my grandmother on 57 00:03:09,400 --> 00:03:13,360 Speaker 1: my Irish and German side, it's really interesting. She started 58 00:03:13,400 --> 00:03:16,200 Speaker 1: to dabble in a lot of ethnic foods as well, 59 00:03:16,840 --> 00:03:19,440 Speaker 1: so it kind of all got intermingled. When I was 60 00:03:19,520 --> 00:03:21,400 Speaker 1: growing up. I mean, you know, we would go down 61 00:03:21,440 --> 00:03:24,000 Speaker 1: and visit my father's family in Columbia, so I had 62 00:03:24,080 --> 00:03:28,400 Speaker 1: very early memories of conk stew and everything was very 63 00:03:28,440 --> 00:03:34,480 Speaker 1: sweet and spicy and very fattening in the in the 64 00:03:34,520 --> 00:03:38,480 Speaker 1: Colombian Islands is actually from Andreas, so it's very kind 65 00:03:38,480 --> 00:03:42,440 Speaker 1: of the Caribbean, and they had some East Indian background 66 00:03:42,440 --> 00:03:44,920 Speaker 1: as well, So I mean I just grew up with 67 00:03:45,000 --> 00:03:49,800 Speaker 1: like this intense variety of spices and flavors, and I 68 00:03:49,840 --> 00:03:53,680 Speaker 1: think my mom sort of took pieces of all of 69 00:03:53,720 --> 00:03:57,280 Speaker 1: that and it was really cool because you know, I 70 00:03:57,320 --> 00:03:59,520 Speaker 1: didn't realize how special it was growing up, but it 71 00:03:59,600 --> 00:04:01,960 Speaker 1: was like the night of the week was a different cuisine. 72 00:04:02,120 --> 00:04:04,280 Speaker 1: And you know, she will tell you she's a great 73 00:04:04,280 --> 00:04:06,760 Speaker 1: cook and she's afraid to cook for me now, but 74 00:04:06,880 --> 00:04:09,040 Speaker 1: my mom killed it. Every night of the week. It 75 00:04:09,120 --> 00:04:12,720 Speaker 1: was like a different something from my background. And it 76 00:04:12,800 --> 00:04:15,320 Speaker 1: was awesome because I got to kind of go around 77 00:04:15,360 --> 00:04:18,080 Speaker 1: the world. We had a Talian night, we had curry night, 78 00:04:18,200 --> 00:04:20,360 Speaker 1: we had you know, we had everything, So it was amazing. 79 00:04:21,400 --> 00:04:23,600 Speaker 1: That's so cool. Yeah, Like that's one thing like a 80 00:04:23,600 --> 00:04:25,880 Speaker 1: lot of people would think my mom doesn't know or 81 00:04:25,880 --> 00:04:28,000 Speaker 1: didn't know how to cook, but it's just like she 82 00:04:28,040 --> 00:04:29,599 Speaker 1: really did, and she would She was the type of 83 00:04:29,600 --> 00:04:31,760 Speaker 1: mom that would go into the kitchen or go into 84 00:04:31,760 --> 00:04:34,760 Speaker 1: the refrigerator and find literally I felt like there was 85 00:04:34,800 --> 00:04:36,920 Speaker 1: nothing there. I was like, there's nothing I eat, you know, 86 00:04:37,040 --> 00:04:39,200 Speaker 1: and she's like, of course there is, and she'd pull 87 00:04:39,240 --> 00:04:42,160 Speaker 1: out all kinds of ship and she'd make something so delicious, 88 00:04:42,200 --> 00:04:43,919 Speaker 1: and I'm like, oh damn, I guess there's just like 89 00:04:43,920 --> 00:04:45,480 Speaker 1: you just gotta look and you have to use your 90 00:04:45,480 --> 00:04:48,120 Speaker 1: imagination and all those all those things help me now 91 00:04:48,360 --> 00:04:50,560 Speaker 1: because I wish I could cook a little more. I mean, 92 00:04:50,600 --> 00:04:52,440 Speaker 1: I'm not chef like you, of course, but I'm like 93 00:04:52,560 --> 00:04:54,440 Speaker 1: I can hold my own. I have good saso and 94 00:04:54,560 --> 00:04:56,600 Speaker 1: you know, but it's awesome because you have so many 95 00:04:56,600 --> 00:04:58,960 Speaker 1: different backgrounds that it's just I think you can bring 96 00:04:59,360 --> 00:05:02,000 Speaker 1: all of that when you're cooking. I think that's amazing. 97 00:05:02,200 --> 00:05:05,320 Speaker 1: It's like I love Caribbean food two oh my god. 98 00:05:05,640 --> 00:05:08,760 Speaker 1: Like I feel like it's very similar to Mexican. They 99 00:05:08,839 --> 00:05:12,400 Speaker 1: love a lot of cards on their plates, right, and 100 00:05:12,440 --> 00:05:15,919 Speaker 1: there's a lot of mix of like savory and sweet 101 00:05:16,040 --> 00:05:17,880 Speaker 1: like in the meal. So it's like you have to 102 00:05:17,920 --> 00:05:20,440 Speaker 1: have It's funny because everyone talks about mommy now and 103 00:05:20,440 --> 00:05:23,599 Speaker 1: I'm like, okay, well that was around like forever mommy was. 104 00:05:24,000 --> 00:05:27,560 Speaker 1: That's there's like Latin mommy too, right, you have the spice, sweet, 105 00:05:27,600 --> 00:05:30,760 Speaker 1: little savory, and then you had like all the different 106 00:05:30,839 --> 00:05:34,599 Speaker 1: allspice and human and you know, all of those flavors together. 107 00:05:34,800 --> 00:05:38,520 Speaker 1: So god, I just I love talking about food. I 108 00:05:38,600 --> 00:05:40,479 Speaker 1: just me too, me too, which is why I'm like, 109 00:05:40,480 --> 00:05:43,680 Speaker 1: I'm so happy that you're here. I just started using human. Actually, 110 00:05:44,000 --> 00:05:47,360 Speaker 1: my to go things are, of course, salt, pepper. I 111 00:05:47,400 --> 00:05:49,680 Speaker 1: love garlic powder. You guys like, I feel like I 112 00:05:49,760 --> 00:05:52,640 Speaker 1: use garlic powder on everything. I love onion. I think 113 00:05:52,640 --> 00:05:54,560 Speaker 1: like those are for me, my basics. But I just 114 00:05:54,600 --> 00:05:56,880 Speaker 1: started using like, I don't know, how do you pronounce it? Okay, 115 00:05:56,920 --> 00:06:00,120 Speaker 1: always say papa, but what is it the real? How 116 00:06:00,160 --> 00:06:02,839 Speaker 1: do you really We just called paprika and you know, 117 00:06:03,240 --> 00:06:05,120 Speaker 1: but but you could say it in the Spanish because 118 00:06:05,120 --> 00:06:08,240 Speaker 1: there's Spanish smoked paprika, so it's you know, either way, 119 00:06:08,240 --> 00:06:12,320 Speaker 1: it's fine. I haven't tried the smoked paprika. It's so yeah. 120 00:06:12,839 --> 00:06:14,560 Speaker 1: A friend of mine just started users, like you have 121 00:06:14,680 --> 00:06:16,720 Speaker 1: to use it. I can't remember what she was cooking. 122 00:06:17,120 --> 00:06:21,760 Speaker 1: But anyways, acumen, you guys and Paprika are also really good. 123 00:06:21,800 --> 00:06:24,919 Speaker 1: I'm trying to expand my sissoning and like my herbs, 124 00:06:25,320 --> 00:06:27,640 Speaker 1: so I'm getting better. I'm getting better at that. Um. 125 00:06:27,720 --> 00:06:29,919 Speaker 1: So Arie'll tell us how old were you when you 126 00:06:29,960 --> 00:06:32,120 Speaker 1: started cooking? Like, do you remember like the first time 127 00:06:32,200 --> 00:06:36,440 Speaker 1: you cook something on your own? I was very young. 128 00:06:36,560 --> 00:06:39,640 Speaker 1: I think my grandmother and my mother were very cool 129 00:06:39,680 --> 00:06:41,359 Speaker 1: about letting me be in the kitchen. I think I 130 00:06:41,440 --> 00:06:44,920 Speaker 1: was a mature kid, and I think I was responsible. 131 00:06:45,080 --> 00:06:47,440 Speaker 1: I don't really remember the point when I like learned 132 00:06:47,440 --> 00:06:49,600 Speaker 1: how to use a knife. I think that they let 133 00:06:49,640 --> 00:06:52,200 Speaker 1: me help, like in their way, you know, was stirring 134 00:06:52,279 --> 00:06:54,520 Speaker 1: and needing if we were making some kind of dough. 135 00:06:54,880 --> 00:06:58,520 Speaker 1: But I definitely remember my mom teaching, like you said, 136 00:06:58,600 --> 00:07:02,239 Speaker 1: that kind of lesson of figuring out how to make something. 137 00:07:02,320 --> 00:07:03,880 Speaker 1: Was very little in the house. I feel like we 138 00:07:04,000 --> 00:07:05,840 Speaker 1: never had anything in the house, and so I would 139 00:07:05,880 --> 00:07:08,359 Speaker 1: get home from school and I would be and my 140 00:07:08,400 --> 00:07:10,760 Speaker 1: mom will should be so mad at me for saying that, 141 00:07:10,800 --> 00:07:13,040 Speaker 1: But it just felt like we didn't have anything. But 142 00:07:13,080 --> 00:07:15,240 Speaker 1: we also just had very healthy things in the house. 143 00:07:15,440 --> 00:07:19,760 Speaker 1: You didn't have a pantry full of like Doritos and whatever. 144 00:07:19,920 --> 00:07:22,080 Speaker 1: Like my friends would all have these crazy snack a 145 00:07:22,120 --> 00:07:24,720 Speaker 1: bowls and lunch a bowls and pizza pockets, and I 146 00:07:24,760 --> 00:07:28,600 Speaker 1: would get home and I'd have like avocados and green 147 00:07:28,680 --> 00:07:32,080 Speaker 1: beans and you know, just stuff. Oh my gosh. My 148 00:07:32,160 --> 00:07:34,520 Speaker 1: mom was the same way. So I was like, this 149 00:07:34,600 --> 00:07:37,840 Speaker 1: is so unfair. We never have any food. My Mom's like, 150 00:07:37,840 --> 00:07:39,800 Speaker 1: we have lots of food, just have to make something. 151 00:07:39,920 --> 00:07:42,640 Speaker 1: So I would, you know, make myself like an avocado 152 00:07:42,840 --> 00:07:47,600 Speaker 1: and sprouts and cucumber sandwich with like Chilian lime, and 153 00:07:47,760 --> 00:07:49,520 Speaker 1: you know, I just learned at a young age how 154 00:07:49,560 --> 00:07:53,480 Speaker 1: to kind of start throwing things together with fresh kind 155 00:07:53,480 --> 00:07:56,440 Speaker 1: of seasonal ingredients. And I didn't even realize that was, 156 00:07:57,400 --> 00:08:00,800 Speaker 1: you know, valuable to learn at that wars And I'm 157 00:08:00,800 --> 00:08:02,360 Speaker 1: sure like as a kids who were like, oh my 158 00:08:02,400 --> 00:08:04,360 Speaker 1: mom is so boring, but now you think her, I'm 159 00:08:04,400 --> 00:08:06,520 Speaker 1: sure if it wasn't for her, And that's how I 160 00:08:06,520 --> 00:08:08,920 Speaker 1: feel as well. So like my mom was the same way. 161 00:08:09,000 --> 00:08:11,520 Speaker 1: I did not have a fun pantry or anything fun 162 00:08:11,520 --> 00:08:13,160 Speaker 1: in the house, you know. And I was that kid 163 00:08:13,320 --> 00:08:15,680 Speaker 1: that would pull out the lunch cell and I had 164 00:08:15,720 --> 00:08:18,600 Speaker 1: like aburto wrapping like the wuminum foil, and I'm just 165 00:08:18,680 --> 00:08:20,120 Speaker 1: like I was the only one, and all the kids 166 00:08:20,120 --> 00:08:22,400 Speaker 1: had their lunchables and their little cute little juices, the 167 00:08:22,440 --> 00:08:26,840 Speaker 1: ones that come what are they called the little packs, Yes, 168 00:08:27,640 --> 00:08:31,360 Speaker 1: the caprisa. And my mom would squeeze grapefruit juice for me, 169 00:08:31,400 --> 00:08:33,360 Speaker 1: okay in the morning and put it in this little 170 00:08:33,400 --> 00:08:35,240 Speaker 1: like thing that wasn't I think it was like a 171 00:08:35,280 --> 00:08:37,240 Speaker 1: like water bottle, and she would just like drink the 172 00:08:37,240 --> 00:08:39,880 Speaker 1: water and put it in there. My mom was so resourceful. 173 00:08:40,160 --> 00:08:42,360 Speaker 1: She was like, you're not gonna be fat when you 174 00:08:42,400 --> 00:08:44,920 Speaker 1: grow up. And and that's why I have in my head, 175 00:08:44,960 --> 00:08:47,640 Speaker 1: you know, because I think she grew up overweight and 176 00:08:47,720 --> 00:08:50,280 Speaker 1: she wanted to always like instill in us, eat healthy, 177 00:08:50,559 --> 00:08:53,319 Speaker 1: non fat milk all the time, egg whites, like all 178 00:08:53,360 --> 00:08:55,679 Speaker 1: those things. That's funny that you mentioned that, because it's 179 00:08:55,760 --> 00:08:58,200 Speaker 1: like totally took me back, and I'm like, oh my goodness, 180 00:08:58,400 --> 00:09:00,800 Speaker 1: And now I thank her. I know, I'm thankful for 181 00:09:00,880 --> 00:09:04,760 Speaker 1: it now because I'm able to embrace that healthy lifestyle 182 00:09:04,840 --> 00:09:07,360 Speaker 1: and it's you know, it's so much easier for for 183 00:09:07,480 --> 00:09:10,440 Speaker 1: some people. And that's what part of writing the book is, 184 00:09:10,520 --> 00:09:12,840 Speaker 1: you know, that's not an easy start for some people 185 00:09:12,880 --> 00:09:15,800 Speaker 1: to clean up their lifestyle. They don't really know where 186 00:09:15,920 --> 00:09:19,920 Speaker 1: to begin, and that was important for me to just 187 00:09:20,000 --> 00:09:22,440 Speaker 1: kind of help. This is how you can start, you know, 188 00:09:22,920 --> 00:09:26,880 Speaker 1: yeah for sure. And when did you find out you 189 00:09:26,880 --> 00:09:29,120 Speaker 1: wanted to be a chef? Like when when was that? Like? 190 00:09:29,360 --> 00:09:33,240 Speaker 1: How old were you? I don't think I necessarily knew 191 00:09:33,280 --> 00:09:35,560 Speaker 1: at the exact time, but I did work on an 192 00:09:35,640 --> 00:09:38,920 Speaker 1: organic farm in Watsonville, California, when I was a nice school. 193 00:09:39,400 --> 00:09:42,640 Speaker 1: It's a migrant Mexican town, a big farm working town, 194 00:09:43,200 --> 00:09:46,240 Speaker 1: um where a lot of this country's produce comes from 195 00:09:46,280 --> 00:09:49,679 Speaker 1: that area in California. So it was really cool. I 196 00:09:49,720 --> 00:09:52,320 Speaker 1: got to work on that farm and grow organic vegetables 197 00:09:52,360 --> 00:09:54,520 Speaker 1: when they were like, you know, farm to table wasn't 198 00:09:54,559 --> 00:09:57,440 Speaker 1: even a word yet, you know, people didn't really have 199 00:09:57,600 --> 00:10:00,640 Speaker 1: that slogan, and that we used to sell all vegetables 200 00:10:00,679 --> 00:10:02,960 Speaker 1: at the San Francisco Farmers Market to a lot of 201 00:10:02,960 --> 00:10:06,200 Speaker 1: really famous chefs. And I think it definitely planted a 202 00:10:06,280 --> 00:10:08,600 Speaker 1: seed for me. I don't think. Um, you know, I 203 00:10:08,640 --> 00:10:11,840 Speaker 1: was going to school for math and science and halfway 204 00:10:11,840 --> 00:10:15,000 Speaker 1: through I told my mom, I'm like, so, yeah, I 205 00:10:15,000 --> 00:10:17,160 Speaker 1: don't want to go to regular college. Anymore, I want 206 00:10:17,160 --> 00:10:21,120 Speaker 1: to go to culinary school. Nice. I think I kissed 207 00:10:21,120 --> 00:10:23,080 Speaker 1: my parents off pretty bad. I think it took about 208 00:10:23,160 --> 00:10:28,160 Speaker 1: ten years at least after graduating culinary school for them 209 00:10:28,200 --> 00:10:29,960 Speaker 1: to be like, oh, I guess this is this is 210 00:10:29,960 --> 00:10:32,800 Speaker 1: gonna stays the thing. So yeah, And I think that 211 00:10:32,880 --> 00:10:35,280 Speaker 1: happens a lot in our Latin culture. I mean, correct 212 00:10:35,280 --> 00:10:37,640 Speaker 1: me if I'm wrong. They want us to be doctors 213 00:10:37,760 --> 00:10:39,560 Speaker 1: or they want us to go to school to be 214 00:10:39,640 --> 00:10:42,000 Speaker 1: like like this like and it's great. But then when 215 00:10:42,000 --> 00:10:43,280 Speaker 1: you do something like I want to be a makeup 216 00:10:43,360 --> 00:10:44,760 Speaker 1: artist or I want to, you know, be a chef, 217 00:10:44,840 --> 00:10:46,400 Speaker 1: They're just kind of like, well, I guess, so I 218 00:10:46,440 --> 00:10:49,160 Speaker 1: want to say why, But then it's you've proven yourself, 219 00:10:49,160 --> 00:10:51,439 Speaker 1: you said after ten years, they were like, oh, okay, 220 00:10:51,600 --> 00:11:00,800 Speaker 1: she's great at it. It's working out. You were on 221 00:11:00,880 --> 00:11:03,520 Speaker 1: that show on Hell's Kitchen, which that was freaking awesome, 222 00:11:03,520 --> 00:11:06,440 Speaker 1: by the way, thank you. How was that experience? I 223 00:11:06,559 --> 00:11:08,600 Speaker 1: was wild, I mean the first time. I think I 224 00:11:08,679 --> 00:11:12,360 Speaker 1: was a little young and a little shy. I definitely 225 00:11:12,400 --> 00:11:15,120 Speaker 1: didn't push myself, you know, to the limit. But I 226 00:11:15,160 --> 00:11:17,240 Speaker 1: always told myself, man, if they ever called me back, 227 00:11:17,760 --> 00:11:20,640 Speaker 1: I am so walking in there and taking this thing 228 00:11:20,760 --> 00:11:24,440 Speaker 1: and literally like ten years to the day from the 229 00:11:24,480 --> 00:11:26,880 Speaker 1: first time, not to the day, but like to the 230 00:11:27,080 --> 00:11:29,240 Speaker 1: It was like the same month they must feel, you know, 231 00:11:29,320 --> 00:11:30,880 Speaker 1: cast and film in the same month, but it was 232 00:11:30,920 --> 00:11:33,480 Speaker 1: like ten years later. They said they were doing All 233 00:11:33,480 --> 00:11:36,800 Speaker 1: Star seasons and I'm like, absolutely, I'm gonna gonna go 234 00:11:36,840 --> 00:11:39,480 Speaker 1: in there and this time I'm gonna win it. And 235 00:11:39,600 --> 00:11:42,960 Speaker 1: you did. That's awesome. That is so great. How is 236 00:11:43,000 --> 00:11:45,360 Speaker 1: he actually? I was gonna ask you that too, m Ramsey. 237 00:11:45,400 --> 00:11:48,920 Speaker 1: Is he cool? He's cool. He's he's definitely rough. He's 238 00:11:49,040 --> 00:11:52,520 Speaker 1: very intimidating. When he's looking at you, it's like he's 239 00:11:52,559 --> 00:11:55,400 Speaker 1: staring at your soul when he asks you a question. 240 00:11:55,679 --> 00:11:59,240 Speaker 1: So it's very like, be honest, don't bullshit him if 241 00:11:59,240 --> 00:12:02,000 Speaker 1: you mess up in your mistakes. I mean, he doesn't 242 00:12:02,000 --> 00:12:05,640 Speaker 1: really yell like that normal life, but he's intimidating. If 243 00:12:05,640 --> 00:12:08,559 Speaker 1: he walks into a kitchen, you straighten up, you pay attention, 244 00:12:08,640 --> 00:12:11,360 Speaker 1: and he definitely listen to what he tells you to do. 245 00:12:11,440 --> 00:12:13,560 Speaker 1: He knows what he's doing. He's the real deal. He 246 00:12:13,600 --> 00:12:16,120 Speaker 1: knows how to cook. Like you wouldn't believe I was 247 00:12:16,120 --> 00:12:19,000 Speaker 1: gonna ask you because I'm sure this is my take 248 00:12:19,040 --> 00:12:21,680 Speaker 1: on it or what I've noticed that there are. It's 249 00:12:21,720 --> 00:12:25,839 Speaker 1: a very also like culinary culinary industry is very male dominated, 250 00:12:26,080 --> 00:12:30,199 Speaker 1: is that right? Absolutely? I mean my whole career, I've 251 00:12:30,200 --> 00:12:33,719 Speaker 1: been the only female in the kitchen in pent of 252 00:12:33,760 --> 00:12:35,560 Speaker 1: the time, and if there is another female, it's a 253 00:12:35,559 --> 00:12:39,560 Speaker 1: pastry chef, which there's nothing wrong than I absolutely respect 254 00:12:39,600 --> 00:12:43,040 Speaker 1: all of my fellow pastry chefs, all my girlfriends in 255 00:12:43,080 --> 00:12:45,560 Speaker 1: the kitchen or pastry chefs. But I always told myself, 256 00:12:45,559 --> 00:12:48,680 Speaker 1: I want to be a savory chef, a chef, and 257 00:12:49,160 --> 00:12:52,240 Speaker 1: it's been a it's definitely been a male dominated industry. 258 00:12:52,440 --> 00:12:55,120 Speaker 1: Why do you think that is? I mean, because there 259 00:12:55,120 --> 00:12:57,800 Speaker 1: are always women in the kitchen, especially us growing up. 260 00:12:58,559 --> 00:13:01,360 Speaker 1: It's funny. I went to a French culinary school and 261 00:13:01,360 --> 00:13:03,760 Speaker 1: one of the things they taught in food histories a 262 00:13:03,840 --> 00:13:08,120 Speaker 1: lot of cultures when it came to chefs in hotels 263 00:13:08,120 --> 00:13:11,160 Speaker 1: and kitchens. It was just like Japanese culture where they 264 00:13:11,160 --> 00:13:13,560 Speaker 1: would not train women how to make sushi, where it 265 00:13:13,600 --> 00:13:16,280 Speaker 1: was a privilege. It was the same in the cuisine 266 00:13:16,320 --> 00:13:20,160 Speaker 1: of France. It was like women weren't allowed in the kitchen, 267 00:13:20,160 --> 00:13:24,000 Speaker 1: which is so funny because at home, it's predominantly women 268 00:13:24,000 --> 00:13:26,480 Speaker 1: in the kitchen, so it's really interesting. It became sort 269 00:13:26,480 --> 00:13:28,000 Speaker 1: of like this I don't know what the word is 270 00:13:28,040 --> 00:13:30,000 Speaker 1: I'm looking for, but it was like, once it became 271 00:13:30,120 --> 00:13:34,120 Speaker 1: industry or a money making situation, it was like, Okay, 272 00:13:34,120 --> 00:13:35,920 Speaker 1: well we don't We're not going to train women how 273 00:13:35,920 --> 00:13:38,400 Speaker 1: to do this. And it's like, wait a minute, we 274 00:13:38,480 --> 00:13:43,360 Speaker 1: trained you how to do this exactly, you how to cook. 275 00:13:45,520 --> 00:13:48,120 Speaker 1: Have you ever walked into a kitchen and error? And 276 00:13:48,240 --> 00:13:50,160 Speaker 1: do you feel like intimidated or anything like that? Have 277 00:13:50,240 --> 00:13:55,280 Speaker 1: you ever felt that? Maybe my first six months, but 278 00:13:55,440 --> 00:13:58,200 Speaker 1: after that it was like you either got to just 279 00:13:58,600 --> 00:14:00,920 Speaker 1: you fake it till you make it, Like how many 280 00:14:00,920 --> 00:14:03,959 Speaker 1: different metaphors fake it till you make it? Uh, sink 281 00:14:04,040 --> 00:14:07,360 Speaker 1: or swim? You gotta like roll with the boys. I 282 00:14:07,400 --> 00:14:08,960 Speaker 1: hate to say it that way, but I had to 283 00:14:09,320 --> 00:14:11,760 Speaker 1: had to show them. I'm sure I acted in ways 284 00:14:11,760 --> 00:14:13,560 Speaker 1: that I if I'm looking back on it, I would 285 00:14:13,640 --> 00:14:16,200 Speaker 1: say that it's unfortunate I had to be that way 286 00:14:16,360 --> 00:14:20,080 Speaker 1: as a young woman in the industry just to be accepted. 287 00:14:20,720 --> 00:14:23,320 Speaker 1: Looking back on and it's like, wow, that was kind 288 00:14:23,320 --> 00:14:27,040 Speaker 1: of not cool, you know, Yeah, And did you ever 289 00:14:27,080 --> 00:14:28,480 Speaker 1: feel like you wanted to quit, like you're like, not 290 00:14:28,600 --> 00:14:30,400 Speaker 1: forget this, I'm not going to do this, or did 291 00:14:30,400 --> 00:14:32,360 Speaker 1: you feel like this is what I want? Probably a 292 00:14:32,400 --> 00:14:35,040 Speaker 1: million times, but I knew it's what I wanted. I 293 00:14:35,160 --> 00:14:38,760 Speaker 1: just I couldn't quit. But there were days where it 294 00:14:38,920 --> 00:14:43,640 Speaker 1: was like what am I doing? Man? You know? Yeah, no, 295 00:14:43,760 --> 00:14:45,800 Speaker 1: I feel you. I feel you because even in my industry, 296 00:14:45,800 --> 00:14:49,120 Speaker 1: it's still like, you know, we're in the regional Mexican space, 297 00:14:49,160 --> 00:14:51,440 Speaker 1: and I think all music it's very difficult for women 298 00:14:51,480 --> 00:14:54,040 Speaker 1: to be accepted completely. You know, it's very male dominated. 299 00:14:54,080 --> 00:14:56,600 Speaker 1: So it's just you have to have that fire within 300 00:14:56,680 --> 00:14:58,720 Speaker 1: and say, Okay, I'm just gonna keep on trucking. I'm 301 00:14:58,720 --> 00:15:01,680 Speaker 1: gonna keep pressing forward. Um. And of course you just 302 00:15:01,680 --> 00:15:03,840 Speaker 1: want to like throw in the towel, but thank goodness 303 00:15:03,840 --> 00:15:05,600 Speaker 1: you don't, because it's right when you're like you want 304 00:15:05,600 --> 00:15:08,200 Speaker 1: to give up, something happens and it's like boom, why 305 00:15:08,280 --> 00:15:11,840 Speaker 1: when you almost give up? Right? Yeah, I think I 306 00:15:11,880 --> 00:15:14,320 Speaker 1: got my first break. You know, people always say, oh, 307 00:15:14,560 --> 00:15:17,600 Speaker 1: was it the show? I'm like, no, I am where 308 00:15:17,640 --> 00:15:20,240 Speaker 1: I am today because I worked my butt off together. 309 00:15:21,440 --> 00:15:25,520 Speaker 1: It was great, but that wasn't what propelled my career. 310 00:15:25,560 --> 00:15:30,400 Speaker 1: I remember getting my first real chef position, you know. 311 00:15:30,560 --> 00:15:33,360 Speaker 1: From there, I just never really looked back, you know, 312 00:15:33,480 --> 00:15:36,680 Speaker 1: and I had taken a couple steps sideways. I think 313 00:15:36,680 --> 00:15:38,920 Speaker 1: one of the things that women really do well in 314 00:15:39,200 --> 00:15:43,320 Speaker 1: whatever field is they know when it's appropriate to take 315 00:15:43,360 --> 00:15:45,040 Speaker 1: a step down or take a step to the side 316 00:15:45,080 --> 00:15:47,640 Speaker 1: in order to get to the next step. And I 317 00:15:47,680 --> 00:15:49,360 Speaker 1: did it, and I finally realized when it was the 318 00:15:49,480 --> 00:15:55,040 Speaker 1: last time, like now I'm only taking this position and up. 319 00:15:55,080 --> 00:15:57,320 Speaker 1: But I did, you know, I played it right and 320 00:15:57,360 --> 00:15:59,280 Speaker 1: I made some good moves, and I think that was 321 00:15:59,840 --> 00:16:02,160 Speaker 1: very a key was just knowing what moves to make 322 00:16:02,200 --> 00:16:06,000 Speaker 1: in your career. And sometimes I took big pay cuts, 323 00:16:06,120 --> 00:16:08,480 Speaker 1: but you know what, it paid off in other ways. 324 00:16:08,640 --> 00:16:12,200 Speaker 1: And you know, twenty two years later, here we are. 325 00:16:12,480 --> 00:16:14,840 Speaker 1: You know, I'm not I'm not a cocky person. I 326 00:16:15,520 --> 00:16:18,920 Speaker 1: very hard on myself. Um, but it took until very 327 00:16:18,960 --> 00:16:21,920 Speaker 1: recently to say I'm good at what I do and 328 00:16:21,960 --> 00:16:24,640 Speaker 1: that I can you know, on the business side too, 329 00:16:25,240 --> 00:16:26,880 Speaker 1: you know, it's not just the chef side. There are 330 00:16:26,880 --> 00:16:29,200 Speaker 1: a lot of different types of chef jobs, and more 331 00:16:29,240 --> 00:16:32,040 Speaker 1: power to the chef that's working on the line every 332 00:16:32,080 --> 00:16:34,400 Speaker 1: day and a small mom and pop place. That's if 333 00:16:34,400 --> 00:16:36,880 Speaker 1: that's what their goal is and their dream. But I've 334 00:16:36,920 --> 00:16:39,960 Speaker 1: always been kind of more on the big business side 335 00:16:39,960 --> 00:16:43,040 Speaker 1: as well. That's a part that I definitely feel proud 336 00:16:43,080 --> 00:16:44,960 Speaker 1: of that, you know, I know how to run this 337 00:16:45,160 --> 00:16:49,000 Speaker 1: culinary business, this hospitality thing. That makes me so happy. 338 00:16:49,000 --> 00:16:50,520 Speaker 1: It makes me proud, It makes me so proud. As 339 00:16:50,520 --> 00:16:52,640 Speaker 1: a fellow Latina. I just to be like, she's a woman, 340 00:16:53,080 --> 00:16:55,920 Speaker 1: she's Latin, She's made it this far. You love what 341 00:16:56,000 --> 00:16:58,760 Speaker 1: you do. And I'm sure there are many people or 342 00:16:58,800 --> 00:17:01,560 Speaker 1: women that are listening to us out that also want 343 00:17:01,560 --> 00:17:03,640 Speaker 1: to go to culinary school. Is it hard? It's culinary 344 00:17:03,640 --> 00:17:05,840 Speaker 1: school hard, you know, I don't know how it is 345 00:17:05,880 --> 00:17:08,760 Speaker 1: these days. I know when I went, it was tough. 346 00:17:08,800 --> 00:17:10,560 Speaker 1: I mean I went to a two year program. It 347 00:17:10,640 --> 00:17:14,119 Speaker 1: wasn't like a easy, breezy uh. You see the ads 348 00:17:14,160 --> 00:17:16,520 Speaker 1: all over for different trades now where it's like get 349 00:17:16,520 --> 00:17:19,159 Speaker 1: out in six months and make this starting salary, and 350 00:17:19,200 --> 00:17:21,440 Speaker 1: I'm just like, WHOA. I had to like go through 351 00:17:21,480 --> 00:17:25,080 Speaker 1: food history and nutrition and all the courses, and you know, 352 00:17:25,200 --> 00:17:28,640 Speaker 1: it was a full on thing. But it's funny because 353 00:17:28,640 --> 00:17:31,920 Speaker 1: it's now twice as expensive and you get less schooling 354 00:17:32,520 --> 00:17:34,960 Speaker 1: but I think the most important piece of advice i'd 355 00:17:34,960 --> 00:17:37,320 Speaker 1: give anyone going into culinary school just tune out all 356 00:17:37,359 --> 00:17:39,600 Speaker 1: the I mean, now, it's tough. You got the Food Network, 357 00:17:39,640 --> 00:17:42,160 Speaker 1: you got all these famous chefs. It's got to get 358 00:17:42,160 --> 00:17:44,879 Speaker 1: you a little jaded on like not really wanting to 359 00:17:44,960 --> 00:17:46,879 Speaker 1: put in the hard work right like I want to 360 00:17:46,920 --> 00:17:48,560 Speaker 1: be I want to be that now. I want to 361 00:17:48,600 --> 00:17:50,879 Speaker 1: get there now, And you just have to tune that 362 00:17:50,880 --> 00:17:53,280 Speaker 1: stuff out because it's a process, even if you're a 363 00:17:53,400 --> 00:17:56,520 Speaker 1: natural good cook, it's a process to get through this 364 00:17:56,600 --> 00:17:59,760 Speaker 1: industry and you've gotta you gotta put in the time. Yeah, 365 00:17:59,760 --> 00:18:02,240 Speaker 1: there you have it. Anyone that's listening that um wants 366 00:18:02,280 --> 00:18:05,480 Speaker 1: to follow in chef arials footsteps, just be patient. I 367 00:18:05,520 --> 00:18:07,920 Speaker 1: think it's just be patient and just know they're gonna 368 00:18:07,920 --> 00:18:09,720 Speaker 1: be moments that you're gonna be like if this all 369 00:18:10,560 --> 00:18:13,160 Speaker 1: but look, we all go through it and it's always 370 00:18:13,160 --> 00:18:15,760 Speaker 1: just I always say, this guy's keep your eyes focused 371 00:18:15,760 --> 00:18:17,520 Speaker 1: on the light at the end of the tunnel. So 372 00:18:17,880 --> 00:18:20,679 Speaker 1: talking about we already talked about women. Are there a 373 00:18:20,720 --> 00:18:24,240 Speaker 1: lot of Latin even men as chefs? Have you met 374 00:18:24,280 --> 00:18:27,479 Speaker 1: more a lot more Latin chefs out there? Growing up 375 00:18:27,480 --> 00:18:30,440 Speaker 1: in California, I think there was definitely a lot more 376 00:18:30,800 --> 00:18:34,720 Speaker 1: Mexican chefs, not necessarily like at the top, but definitely 377 00:18:34,840 --> 00:18:37,760 Speaker 1: working their way. Almost every Sux chef I ever worked 378 00:18:37,760 --> 00:18:40,280 Speaker 1: with in California was Mexican. Most of the cooks for 379 00:18:40,400 --> 00:18:43,160 Speaker 1: Mexican as well. I'm a little different on the East Coast. 380 00:18:43,160 --> 00:18:45,600 Speaker 1: When I moved here. It's just a different Latin culture here, 381 00:18:45,640 --> 00:18:47,840 Speaker 1: a lot of Puerto Rican trade off. You know. I 382 00:18:47,960 --> 00:18:50,400 Speaker 1: left the West Coast and it was you know, Salvadoran 383 00:18:50,520 --> 00:18:52,720 Speaker 1: and Mexicans in the kitchen, and then here it was 384 00:18:52,760 --> 00:18:55,880 Speaker 1: a lot of mostly Puerto Ricans and and some Patians, 385 00:18:56,080 --> 00:18:58,920 Speaker 1: and but I think, I don't know. In New York anyway, 386 00:18:59,000 --> 00:19:02,040 Speaker 1: there's definitely a lot more Latin male chefs for sure, 387 00:19:02,160 --> 00:19:05,240 Speaker 1: still not that many women, There's a few. I think 388 00:19:05,280 --> 00:19:07,960 Speaker 1: the space has opened up in general, a lot more 389 00:19:08,400 --> 00:19:12,080 Speaker 1: Mexican restaurants in New York. There's a lot more Puerto 390 00:19:12,160 --> 00:19:15,359 Speaker 1: Rican restaurants. So I think now that these what I 391 00:19:15,359 --> 00:19:18,600 Speaker 1: guess people would call niche restaurants, which is just funny 392 00:19:18,640 --> 00:19:21,359 Speaker 1: to me because it's it's not a it's not a trend, 393 00:19:21,520 --> 00:19:25,480 Speaker 1: it's just is there ethnics who it's been around a 394 00:19:25,520 --> 00:19:28,119 Speaker 1: long time. Now that these restaurants are kind of popping 395 00:19:28,200 --> 00:19:30,520 Speaker 1: up all over the place, I think there's definitely a 396 00:19:30,560 --> 00:19:32,760 Speaker 1: lot more space for a lot and chefs, for sure. 397 00:19:33,160 --> 00:19:36,040 Speaker 1: That's awesome. Do you feel like any pressure having to 398 00:19:36,200 --> 00:19:42,480 Speaker 1: represent Latins are especially women? And then you know some 399 00:19:42,520 --> 00:19:44,879 Speaker 1: people are also, you know, not very kind. You know 400 00:19:45,000 --> 00:19:46,919 Speaker 1: that I'm not a hunt of percent. You know, I 401 00:19:47,080 --> 00:19:49,640 Speaker 1: have a very white mum, you know, with a very 402 00:19:49,680 --> 00:19:53,560 Speaker 1: European background. It's always been tough to fit into either 403 00:19:53,720 --> 00:19:56,520 Speaker 1: space for me because it's I'm not one thing and 404 00:19:56,560 --> 00:19:59,679 Speaker 1: I'm not the other. But I feel comfortable in both, 405 00:20:00,040 --> 00:20:03,560 Speaker 1: and I think that's okay. It's funny because I try 406 00:20:03,600 --> 00:20:07,280 Speaker 1: to stand up for and represent Latin people in the 407 00:20:07,359 --> 00:20:13,960 Speaker 1: food industry and sometimes I don't get received, which is unfortunate. 408 00:20:14,080 --> 00:20:16,080 Speaker 1: You got to just take it and stride and stay 409 00:20:16,160 --> 00:20:20,000 Speaker 1: positive and continue doing what you're there to do. And 410 00:20:20,600 --> 00:20:22,720 Speaker 1: everything I do is coming from a good place. I 411 00:20:22,760 --> 00:20:26,040 Speaker 1: just hope that people know that. Absolutely. Yeah. I mean 412 00:20:26,080 --> 00:20:28,399 Speaker 1: those people that make it hard, it's just you know, 413 00:20:28,480 --> 00:20:31,200 Speaker 1: it's cool, It's all good. Like I try my best 414 00:20:31,240 --> 00:20:34,520 Speaker 1: to be like, Okay, I'm just gonna breathe. There's obviously 415 00:20:34,560 --> 00:20:37,200 Speaker 1: something wrong with you, not with me, but do you 416 00:20:37,000 --> 00:20:48,879 Speaker 1: know keep doing me exactly. Okay, I have two questions. 417 00:20:49,280 --> 00:20:51,640 Speaker 1: So what are like some easy tips that you can 418 00:20:51,640 --> 00:20:54,520 Speaker 1: give people to just make more of like healthy choices, 419 00:20:54,560 --> 00:20:56,600 Speaker 1: like you know, things that people use every single day 420 00:20:56,640 --> 00:20:59,159 Speaker 1: or the thing that you recommend. Yeah, I mean, I 421 00:20:59,160 --> 00:21:01,199 Speaker 1: think the number one tip is if you're gonna make 422 00:21:01,200 --> 00:21:04,600 Speaker 1: a decision to make a change, you really got to 423 00:21:04,640 --> 00:21:08,160 Speaker 1: do a purge in your pantry because if it's not there, 424 00:21:08,200 --> 00:21:11,160 Speaker 1: you can't use it. That's my number one rule. If 425 00:21:11,160 --> 00:21:13,800 Speaker 1: it's not there, you can't eat it. There's definitely go 426 00:21:13,960 --> 00:21:18,119 Speaker 1: to ingredients. I mean, I'm big on only using natural 427 00:21:18,160 --> 00:21:21,600 Speaker 1: sea salt and malayan salts, avocado oils, I use all 428 00:21:21,640 --> 00:21:24,160 Speaker 1: different types of oils. I use olive oils for certain things, 429 00:21:24,280 --> 00:21:27,840 Speaker 1: coconut oil, avocado oil, grape seed at oil. There's different 430 00:21:27,880 --> 00:21:31,080 Speaker 1: oils for different things. Is your go to avocado? Yeah, 431 00:21:31,320 --> 00:21:33,480 Speaker 1: I think. So. It's got a high smoke point, it 432 00:21:33,480 --> 00:21:36,800 Speaker 1: works nicely all around for searing, you can use it 433 00:21:36,800 --> 00:21:39,320 Speaker 1: for salad dressings, you can use it for a lot 434 00:21:39,359 --> 00:21:43,080 Speaker 1: of stuff. Okay, So it's super versatile. I think the salts, 435 00:21:43,320 --> 00:21:46,040 Speaker 1: the fats and the sugars are the number one things 436 00:21:46,440 --> 00:21:48,600 Speaker 1: that you want to start with. I know the flowers 437 00:21:48,600 --> 00:21:51,199 Speaker 1: are important too, but if you can start there and 438 00:21:51,200 --> 00:21:53,399 Speaker 1: then move on to the flowers, because the flowers can 439 00:21:53,440 --> 00:21:57,960 Speaker 1: be a little tough to navigate, because coconut flour works 440 00:21:58,080 --> 00:22:02,240 Speaker 1: very different than almond flower versus you know, arrow roots starts. 441 00:22:02,240 --> 00:22:05,200 Speaker 1: So some were good for baking, some were good for breading. 442 00:22:05,440 --> 00:22:07,159 Speaker 1: And I talked a lot about that and what to 443 00:22:07,280 --> 00:22:10,359 Speaker 1: use wear and in what substitutes. But I think, like 444 00:22:10,400 --> 00:22:13,840 Speaker 1: I said, the salts, the oils, and the sugars are important. 445 00:22:13,840 --> 00:22:16,040 Speaker 1: Coconut sugar is huge one for me. It's kind of 446 00:22:16,040 --> 00:22:19,320 Speaker 1: an in between. I use monk fruit sugar along, Yes, 447 00:22:19,359 --> 00:22:22,160 Speaker 1: the monk for sugar. You guys, I have no cane 448 00:22:22,200 --> 00:22:26,160 Speaker 1: sugar in this house, so good you gotta purge. Yeah, 449 00:22:26,400 --> 00:22:28,480 Speaker 1: if it's not there, you can't use it. That's my 450 00:22:28,560 --> 00:22:32,000 Speaker 1: number one week. I think it's very important to just 451 00:22:32,040 --> 00:22:35,120 Speaker 1: make that decision, guys. You know, like when I've tried 452 00:22:35,200 --> 00:22:37,639 Speaker 1: so many different I don't even like to call them 453 00:22:37,680 --> 00:22:40,440 Speaker 1: diets anymore, but I tried so many different diets and 454 00:22:40,680 --> 00:22:43,159 Speaker 1: keto was the thing, and it just becomes making that 455 00:22:43,200 --> 00:22:46,439 Speaker 1: switch of it's a lifestyle change. I want to just 456 00:22:46,480 --> 00:22:49,080 Speaker 1: be healthier. I want to feel better more than anything. 457 00:22:49,160 --> 00:22:50,240 Speaker 1: Was like, I want to feel better, I want to 458 00:22:50,240 --> 00:22:53,160 Speaker 1: have more energy. So I just did exactly what you said. 459 00:22:53,200 --> 00:22:56,600 Speaker 1: I purged. I was like, I am removing everything that 460 00:22:56,720 --> 00:22:59,159 Speaker 1: I know is not good for me and try to 461 00:22:59,200 --> 00:23:02,560 Speaker 1: find other things like instead of cane sugar, you know, 462 00:23:02,720 --> 00:23:05,680 Speaker 1: the month fruit sugar, which I was introduced to that late, 463 00:23:05,760 --> 00:23:08,239 Speaker 1: like maybe like glass ear barely and I really like it, 464 00:23:08,320 --> 00:23:11,080 Speaker 1: you know, So just little things like that. But anyways, 465 00:23:11,200 --> 00:23:15,199 Speaker 1: how do you feel about buying organic proteins poultry and 466 00:23:15,359 --> 00:23:17,720 Speaker 1: organic fruits? I do you feel like it's absolutely necessary? 467 00:23:17,760 --> 00:23:22,080 Speaker 1: Do you highly recommend that? I think that there are 468 00:23:22,160 --> 00:23:25,480 Speaker 1: some things that you really should stick to. I don't 469 00:23:25,480 --> 00:23:27,720 Speaker 1: think it needs to be a let's be honest, A 470 00:23:27,760 --> 00:23:32,240 Speaker 1: fully organic lifestyle is not cheap, right, right, So you 471 00:23:32,320 --> 00:23:34,639 Speaker 1: kind of have to pick and choose what you're gonna do. 472 00:23:34,960 --> 00:23:38,439 Speaker 1: I'm particularly strict when it comes to where my chicken 473 00:23:38,480 --> 00:23:43,120 Speaker 1: comes from, only because I know the huge swing between 474 00:23:43,440 --> 00:23:48,359 Speaker 1: what you're getting with a commodity bird versus a organic bird, 475 00:23:48,400 --> 00:23:51,040 Speaker 1: and and what they're said, there are some things that 476 00:23:51,119 --> 00:23:55,200 Speaker 1: I don't think are as important, but I would say 477 00:23:55,240 --> 00:23:57,639 Speaker 1: a lot of meats. I mean, I only grass fed beef. 478 00:23:57,800 --> 00:24:00,679 Speaker 1: I work with regular beef in my staurant, so obviously 479 00:24:00,720 --> 00:24:02,720 Speaker 1: I have to taste it. But when I'm at home, 480 00:24:02,800 --> 00:24:06,160 Speaker 1: it's it's mostly grass fed. UM. If I'm eating pork products, 481 00:24:06,160 --> 00:24:09,560 Speaker 1: I try to eat nitrate free um. You know, just 482 00:24:09,680 --> 00:24:14,280 Speaker 1: no additives and just natural chickens. I know it sounds funny, 483 00:24:14,280 --> 00:24:17,000 Speaker 1: but I'm a little less weird about fish because right 484 00:24:17,040 --> 00:24:20,600 Speaker 1: now the whole farm raised industry has totally changed and 485 00:24:20,600 --> 00:24:23,840 Speaker 1: there's a lot of actual quote unquote farm raised, and 486 00:24:23,880 --> 00:24:27,280 Speaker 1: it's almost like wild farm raised. They're building farms out 487 00:24:27,359 --> 00:24:31,120 Speaker 1: in the ocean, so you're getting a much more natural 488 00:24:31,400 --> 00:24:34,199 Speaker 1: product than the old school farm raised, which was in 489 00:24:34,240 --> 00:24:39,000 Speaker 1: these weird pins like land locked salinated water. So farm 490 00:24:39,080 --> 00:24:41,400 Speaker 1: raised is really kind of change. Where fish I'm I'm 491 00:24:41,400 --> 00:24:43,159 Speaker 1: a little depends on what fish I'm getting back. I'm 492 00:24:43,160 --> 00:24:46,440 Speaker 1: a little bit less crazy about that. As far as vegetables, 493 00:24:46,520 --> 00:24:49,439 Speaker 1: for me, anything you're gonna eat raw, go organic. If 494 00:24:49,440 --> 00:24:52,000 Speaker 1: you're gonna cook, it's at the end of the world. Okay, 495 00:24:52,119 --> 00:24:55,960 Speaker 1: you know, we grew up eating non organic food. We're 496 00:24:55,960 --> 00:24:59,480 Speaker 1: gonna cook. It's it's gonna be fun and it's what 497 00:24:59,600 --> 00:25:02,080 Speaker 1: you can have forward. If it's more about the type 498 00:25:02,080 --> 00:25:04,800 Speaker 1: of ingredients that you can change when you can't afford 499 00:25:04,800 --> 00:25:07,920 Speaker 1: a full organic lifestyle, I don't think that anyone should 500 00:25:07,920 --> 00:25:09,920 Speaker 1: beat themselves up for that. You do what you can 501 00:25:10,040 --> 00:25:12,439 Speaker 1: when you can. That's another wolf thumb for me. I 502 00:25:12,520 --> 00:25:14,600 Speaker 1: love that. I absolutely love that because there are times 503 00:25:14,640 --> 00:25:16,199 Speaker 1: when I'm like, Okay, I can go to I don't know, 504 00:25:16,240 --> 00:25:19,159 Speaker 1: whole foods right, and I'm like, and it's expensive. It 505 00:25:19,200 --> 00:25:22,560 Speaker 1: does get expensive, So there's yeah, I cut back on 506 00:25:22,640 --> 00:25:24,560 Speaker 1: other things that are not necessary to make sure I'm 507 00:25:24,600 --> 00:25:27,000 Speaker 1: investing in in myself, which is the things that I'm 508 00:25:27,000 --> 00:25:30,479 Speaker 1: eating here at home. So when I'm traveling, that's one 509 00:25:30,480 --> 00:25:32,080 Speaker 1: thing where I'm like, Okay, I try my best not 510 00:25:32,119 --> 00:25:34,640 Speaker 1: to have any chicken outside of the house. I'd rather 511 00:25:34,680 --> 00:25:37,879 Speaker 1: do fish, because you know what you are cooking in 512 00:25:37,960 --> 00:25:39,960 Speaker 1: your own home. You don't necessarily know what you're eating 513 00:25:40,040 --> 00:25:43,399 Speaker 1: in a in a restaurant exactly. Yeah, So that's just 514 00:25:43,520 --> 00:25:45,439 Speaker 1: my only thing, but I want I was curious to 515 00:25:45,480 --> 00:25:48,560 Speaker 1: see what you thought about organic because there are people 516 00:25:48,600 --> 00:25:50,080 Speaker 1: there there don't believe in it, but I'm like, dude, 517 00:25:50,080 --> 00:25:52,840 Speaker 1: it's out there. It's real. Yeah, So my other question 518 00:25:53,520 --> 00:25:55,520 Speaker 1: was actually asked you probably five questions in one so 519 00:25:55,560 --> 00:25:57,920 Speaker 1: I'm so sorry. But my other question, and I'm very 520 00:25:57,960 --> 00:25:59,800 Speaker 1: curious to ask you this because I don't know. I 521 00:26:00,000 --> 00:26:03,080 Speaker 1: feel like it's browned upon and certain chefs feel that way. 522 00:26:03,080 --> 00:26:04,920 Speaker 1: But I want to know what you can be honest. Sure, 523 00:26:05,000 --> 00:26:07,240 Speaker 1: I'm the type of person that I don't measure. I 524 00:26:07,280 --> 00:26:09,639 Speaker 1: have a sister who's really good at cooking, and she 525 00:26:09,720 --> 00:26:13,119 Speaker 1: measures everything. I've never measured. I grew up watching my 526 00:26:13,160 --> 00:26:15,240 Speaker 1: grandma cook and she never measured, even with the beans. 527 00:26:15,280 --> 00:26:17,320 Speaker 1: Like sometimes I'm like, oh my, she would put all 528 00:26:17,400 --> 00:26:19,520 Speaker 1: kinds of salt, like oh, that's gonna be salty, and 529 00:26:19,560 --> 00:26:21,960 Speaker 1: it wasn't. It's like now I'm like, I find myself 530 00:26:21,960 --> 00:26:25,040 Speaker 1: doing the same thing where I don't measure salt anything. 531 00:26:25,040 --> 00:26:27,119 Speaker 1: I just feel it in my heart. I swear to you, 532 00:26:27,280 --> 00:26:29,120 Speaker 1: I like to feel it. And I'm like, okay, cool, 533 00:26:29,119 --> 00:26:32,479 Speaker 1: I'm gonna stop you. Yeah, but do you what do 534 00:26:32,520 --> 00:26:34,760 Speaker 1: you feel about that? Like? Should we measure? Is it 535 00:26:34,800 --> 00:26:40,520 Speaker 1: better to measure? I don't measure when I'm cooking savory food. Okay, 536 00:26:40,840 --> 00:26:43,440 Speaker 1: I almost never measure. Obviously, my recipes in a book 537 00:26:43,440 --> 00:26:45,600 Speaker 1: are going to have measurements, which is hard, by the way, 538 00:26:45,600 --> 00:26:48,480 Speaker 1: when you need to quantify things that you didn't actually 539 00:26:48,560 --> 00:26:50,080 Speaker 1: measure for a very long time. I was like, oh, 540 00:26:50,119 --> 00:26:51,800 Speaker 1: I got this. Took a really long time to turn 541 00:26:51,840 --> 00:26:55,480 Speaker 1: this into an actual recipe. But baking, you can't mess 542 00:26:55,520 --> 00:26:57,840 Speaker 1: around with it. To measure in baking, it's just it 543 00:26:57,880 --> 00:27:00,359 Speaker 1: will work. It just doesn't work if you don't measure 544 00:27:00,400 --> 00:27:03,680 Speaker 1: in baking as far as I know. But every day cooking, like, no, 545 00:27:03,800 --> 00:27:06,640 Speaker 1: I don't measure anything. Yeah okay, yeah, because even when 546 00:27:06,680 --> 00:27:08,960 Speaker 1: in my book I did, I added, of course, like 547 00:27:09,000 --> 00:27:10,480 Speaker 1: for measuring, because there are a lot of people prefer 548 00:27:10,560 --> 00:27:12,760 Speaker 1: to measure, which is totally fine with savory food, but 549 00:27:12,800 --> 00:27:14,640 Speaker 1: for sure with baking, there's no way, like you said, 550 00:27:14,640 --> 00:27:15,960 Speaker 1: like I have to like I don't even like to 551 00:27:16,000 --> 00:27:17,480 Speaker 1: bake too much, to be honest, I let my sister 552 00:27:17,560 --> 00:27:20,240 Speaker 1: do it. Yeah. Yeah, so okay. I was just curious 553 00:27:20,320 --> 00:27:22,840 Speaker 1: because I was like, oh, no, you know there, I've 554 00:27:22,840 --> 00:27:25,200 Speaker 1: heard before. It's kind of like, no, that's not right. 555 00:27:25,240 --> 00:27:27,560 Speaker 1: You have to measure in a certain amount of saults. 556 00:27:27,600 --> 00:27:30,560 Speaker 1: And of course if you're watching you know, like cholesterol 557 00:27:30,560 --> 00:27:33,080 Speaker 1: and all that stuff, and I would suggest, yes, measure, 558 00:27:33,119 --> 00:27:36,920 Speaker 1: but I shouldn't say a disclaimer because, like my bosses 559 00:27:36,960 --> 00:27:42,159 Speaker 1: are out there and the restaurants, we measure because obviously 560 00:27:42,200 --> 00:27:45,640 Speaker 1: we have a standard we need to, you know, like 561 00:27:46,000 --> 00:27:48,439 Speaker 1: a guest is coming to order that dish, they always 562 00:27:48,440 --> 00:27:51,160 Speaker 1: get like it has to be the same. So like 563 00:27:51,280 --> 00:27:54,760 Speaker 1: there are measurements in the kitchen for prep recipes. I 564 00:27:54,800 --> 00:27:57,840 Speaker 1: don't measure at home, is what. Okay, yeah, when you're 565 00:27:57,840 --> 00:27:59,520 Speaker 1: cooking at home and stuff, But in the I mean 566 00:27:59,800 --> 00:28:03,320 Speaker 1: we're it's a completely different thing. Yes, So now tell 567 00:28:03,400 --> 00:28:06,399 Speaker 1: us a little about your book. Yes, so it's for 568 00:28:06,480 --> 00:28:10,399 Speaker 1: me now in August, towards the end of August. Very exciting. 569 00:28:11,280 --> 00:28:13,439 Speaker 1: You know, it's not one culture, it's a lot of 570 00:28:13,480 --> 00:28:16,080 Speaker 1: different cultures. Again, I married my husband. He's Puerto Rican 571 00:28:16,160 --> 00:28:19,720 Speaker 1: and Ecuadorian. Now I've got this plathora of Puerto Rican 572 00:28:19,760 --> 00:28:22,359 Speaker 1: and Ecuadorian influences to so we sort of take a 573 00:28:22,480 --> 00:28:27,800 Speaker 1: journey through everywhere. There's some recipes in there for gatherings, 574 00:28:27,800 --> 00:28:31,800 Speaker 1: There's some recipes in there for mornings on the go, entertaining. 575 00:28:31,840 --> 00:28:35,000 Speaker 1: There's cocktails, some of my favorite desserts that I really 576 00:28:35,040 --> 00:28:37,680 Speaker 1: had to talking about science. I really had to work 577 00:28:37,760 --> 00:28:40,320 Speaker 1: hard on because I do love certain things like a 578 00:28:40,400 --> 00:28:45,520 Speaker 1: rum cake Jamaican rum cake or cake. And I wanted 579 00:28:45,560 --> 00:28:48,560 Speaker 1: to not, you know, have to deprive myself of these 580 00:28:48,600 --> 00:28:51,120 Speaker 1: things in my life because they're so good. Like whoever 581 00:28:51,160 --> 00:28:54,920 Speaker 1: doesn't like I don't know seriously, I'm just saying, but like, 582 00:28:54,960 --> 00:28:57,560 Speaker 1: I've found a recipe that works for me. Obviously I 583 00:28:57,560 --> 00:28:59,400 Speaker 1: can't sit and need a whole trade of it. But 584 00:28:59,480 --> 00:29:02,440 Speaker 1: there's a cepika is you know, at least seven to 585 00:29:02,520 --> 00:29:05,400 Speaker 1: eight times healthier than you know, the original. Oh my god, 586 00:29:05,400 --> 00:29:07,960 Speaker 1: I'm excited. I love there's such just but yeah, it's 587 00:29:07,960 --> 00:29:09,800 Speaker 1: I always think I'm like, it's not healthy, but oh 588 00:29:09,800 --> 00:29:11,280 Speaker 1: my goodness, I know. Well you've got to be all 589 00:29:11,320 --> 00:29:14,320 Speaker 1: the spurge and there's ways where you know, there's some 590 00:29:14,400 --> 00:29:16,200 Speaker 1: things that are more healthy and there's some things that 591 00:29:16,240 --> 00:29:18,240 Speaker 1: are Just like I said, you do what you can 592 00:29:18,320 --> 00:29:20,920 Speaker 1: when you can. Every recipe in the book, I make 593 00:29:20,960 --> 00:29:23,080 Speaker 1: a note there's a story about my life. There's an 594 00:29:23,080 --> 00:29:25,920 Speaker 1: intro to every recipe that tells you where it came 595 00:29:26,000 --> 00:29:28,920 Speaker 1: from in my life. Some of these recipes are I 596 00:29:29,040 --> 00:29:31,400 Speaker 1: make notes say you know how to sub in regular 597 00:29:31,440 --> 00:29:34,840 Speaker 1: flower or how to subend regular butter um, so that 598 00:29:35,080 --> 00:29:37,560 Speaker 1: you know it can be accessible to folks that aren't 599 00:29:37,600 --> 00:29:41,680 Speaker 1: living that nutritional life style. That's freaking awesome. I love 600 00:29:41,720 --> 00:29:44,880 Speaker 1: that you added for gatherings because that's I think one 601 00:29:44,920 --> 00:29:46,760 Speaker 1: of my biggest things is that I can cook for 602 00:29:46,840 --> 00:29:48,880 Speaker 1: one to or three people, but when people are coming over, 603 00:29:48,920 --> 00:29:50,880 Speaker 1: I get overwhelmed. I don't know, I feel like I 604 00:29:50,920 --> 00:29:53,880 Speaker 1: forget everything. So that's awesome that you added that I don't. 605 00:29:53,880 --> 00:29:57,920 Speaker 1: I haven't seen personally a cookbook that has that. You know, 606 00:29:57,920 --> 00:30:00,400 Speaker 1: it's like, oh, for gatherings for parties, you have the cocktails, 607 00:30:00,400 --> 00:30:02,600 Speaker 1: which is so awesome as well. You have one a 608 00:30:02,640 --> 00:30:06,000 Speaker 1: coconut lime margharita, you guys, which I'm so excited try now. Okay, 609 00:30:06,040 --> 00:30:10,120 Speaker 1: that's one coconut lime margharita and cake. I'm so excited 610 00:30:10,160 --> 00:30:11,920 Speaker 1: for it because you know, I like, I'm not gonna lie. 611 00:30:12,200 --> 00:30:15,320 Speaker 1: I like my cocktails, guys, So you guys know that. 612 00:30:16,320 --> 00:30:21,959 Speaker 1: So you have how many recipes? Are hundred? Right? Nice? Okay, Well, 613 00:30:22,000 --> 00:30:25,120 Speaker 1: what's your favorite, like go to cocktail? You know, on 614 00:30:25,160 --> 00:30:27,720 Speaker 1: a regular basis, I don't really drink mixed drinks. I 615 00:30:27,760 --> 00:30:29,440 Speaker 1: did come up with the cocktails that are in the 616 00:30:29,480 --> 00:30:31,160 Speaker 1: book because when I do want one, I want to 617 00:30:31,200 --> 00:30:33,600 Speaker 1: help your version. But I'll be straight with you. I'm 618 00:30:33,640 --> 00:30:36,360 Speaker 1: a Scotch drinker. I like whiskey and I like scotch, 619 00:30:36,520 --> 00:30:39,680 Speaker 1: so that's my and they do it straight up, straight 620 00:30:39,760 --> 00:30:43,680 Speaker 1: up while on a large I love it nice. Now 621 00:30:44,040 --> 00:30:47,000 Speaker 1: that's sexy. I love that. I'm like, I'm not gonna lie. 622 00:30:47,280 --> 00:30:50,000 Speaker 1: That's but if I'm going to have a mixed drink 623 00:30:50,080 --> 00:30:52,360 Speaker 1: some of my favorites through what I included. For sure 624 00:30:52,960 --> 00:30:55,600 Speaker 1: you also have a Michila in there as well. Absolutely 625 00:30:55,640 --> 00:30:59,600 Speaker 1: one of my favorite drinks when I'm on vacation. I'm excited, 626 00:30:59,640 --> 00:31:03,560 Speaker 1: you guys. It's called Spice Kitchen, healthy Latin and Caribbean cuisine. 627 00:31:03,600 --> 00:31:06,320 Speaker 1: You guys, I'm for sure gonna buy. I like to 628 00:31:06,320 --> 00:31:08,120 Speaker 1: buy two of everything. Someone to buy two just in 629 00:31:08,120 --> 00:31:10,920 Speaker 1: case one gets dirty, because you know, when you're cooking, 630 00:31:10,080 --> 00:31:12,600 Speaker 1: one gets dirty. So I'll just keep one where it 631 00:31:12,600 --> 00:31:14,640 Speaker 1: looks pretty and the other one where I could just 632 00:31:14,680 --> 00:31:17,600 Speaker 1: get dirty with my fingers. So love it. Yeah, well 633 00:31:17,640 --> 00:31:20,440 Speaker 1: I'm cooking, so no, that's awesome. I'm very happy for 634 00:31:20,520 --> 00:31:22,920 Speaker 1: you and I feel like we have a lot in common. Yeah, 635 00:31:23,240 --> 00:31:25,640 Speaker 1: thank you so much for having me. And seriously, like 636 00:31:25,760 --> 00:31:29,000 Speaker 1: we should throw a Latin food party sometime and cook 637 00:31:29,080 --> 00:31:32,920 Speaker 1: some stuffs. Go. I would love that we should do it. 638 00:31:33,120 --> 00:31:34,920 Speaker 1: And if you could, just before you go and before 639 00:31:34,960 --> 00:31:37,080 Speaker 1: I share my motivational one day quote you guys, can 640 00:31:37,120 --> 00:31:39,200 Speaker 1: you share with us chef Arial like where people can 641 00:31:39,240 --> 00:31:42,760 Speaker 1: find you? Social media, website, anything like that. Absolutely you 642 00:31:42,800 --> 00:31:45,640 Speaker 1: can find me on Instagram chef Arial Fox or on 643 00:31:45,640 --> 00:31:49,360 Speaker 1: Facebook chef Arel Fox. And uh you can buy Spice 644 00:31:49,440 --> 00:31:52,400 Speaker 1: Kitchen pretty much anywhere books are sold. Pre Orders are 645 00:31:52,400 --> 00:31:55,600 Speaker 1: on sale now, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, wherever you buy. 646 00:31:55,640 --> 00:31:59,880 Speaker 1: But love it. I'm a guys, I really am. I'm 647 00:32:00,040 --> 00:32:03,479 Speaker 1: excited and you know I always share my motivational um 648 00:32:03,640 --> 00:32:07,440 Speaker 1: quote with you guys every Monday, same thing. So here 649 00:32:07,480 --> 00:32:15,680 Speaker 1: it is so the motivational Monday quote is one of 650 00:32:15,680 --> 00:32:18,160 Speaker 1: the happiest moments in life, is when you find the 651 00:32:18,240 --> 00:32:22,080 Speaker 1: courage to let go of what you can't change. So 652 00:32:22,280 --> 00:32:25,320 Speaker 1: thank you so very much for listening. Like always, I'll 653 00:32:25,360 --> 00:32:28,840 Speaker 1: be here every Monday. Los Amo again, Chef Ario, Thank 654 00:32:28,880 --> 00:32:31,400 Speaker 1: you so much. I'm so grateful and I'm really looking 655 00:32:31,440 --> 00:32:39,440 Speaker 1: forward to your book. Do you need advice on love, relationships, 656 00:32:39,560 --> 00:32:42,760 Speaker 1: health emas. I'm so excited to share with you that 657 00:32:42,840 --> 00:32:45,640 Speaker 1: my Cheekies and Chill podcast will have an extra episode 658 00:32:45,720 --> 00:32:49,640 Speaker 1: drop each week. I'll be answering all your questions. Just 659 00:32:49,760 --> 00:32:55,360 Speaker 1: leave me a voice message. All you have to do 660 00:32:55,480 --> 00:32:58,160 Speaker 1: is go to speak pipe dot com, slash Cheeks and 661 00:32:58,200 --> 00:33:00,800 Speaker 1: Chill podcast and record your questions. I can't wait to 662 00:33:00,840 --> 00:33:07,440 Speaker 1: hear from you. This is a production of I Heart 663 00:33:07,520 --> 00:33:11,520 Speaker 1: Radio and Michael Dura podcast Network. Follow us on Instagram 664 00:33:11,560 --> 00:33:15,240 Speaker 1: at Michael Gura Podcasts and follow me chick ees That's 665 00:33:15,320 --> 00:33:18,920 Speaker 1: c h i q u i s. For more podcasts 666 00:33:19,120 --> 00:33:23,200 Speaker 1: from my heart, visit the I Heart Radio app, Apple podcast, 667 00:33:23,320 --> 00:33:25,240 Speaker 1: or wherever you listen to your favorite shows.