Journalist, Author & Syndicated Columnist
“The United States is an immigrant country,” said chef Martin Yan. “Only native Americans were here first. We all came over to fulfill a dream and maybe get away from political or religious persecution. Basically, America is a melting pot. I think of it as a hot pot, where you can put anything in it and the more you put into it, the better it is.”
Chef Jose Andres was no novice to helping people who suffered catastrophes. After Hurricanes Sandy and Harvey, he worked with local chefs to help feed the survivors. But those events didn’t prepare him for the devastation he saw when he landed in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria hit. Working with his nonprofit World Central Kitchen and local chefs, the Michelin-starred Andres set up shop in the parking lot of a stadium to feed anyone who needed a hot meal.
“I am always deeply influenced when I go to Korea. It is an endless source of inspiration for me. I have ties there, so it is special. But I also approach it as an outsider and learn new techniques and cooking traditions. I always look forward to going back again and again.” — Chef Edward Lee, star of “Culinary Genius” and “Fermented.”
“I admit I really only travel to places that have strong culinary cultures,” says chef Judy Joo. ? Word!
Chef and restaurateur Tim Love is one of the stars of CNBC’s series “Restaurant Startup.” The reality show helps potential restaurateurs by investing money in new restaurants. He says one way he keeps on top of culinary trends is via travel. “Cooking is really not the hard part,” says Love, 44. “When you travel, you experience different cultures and see how they do different things. This inspires me to incorporate new ideas and experiment with different cuisines, ingredients and flavors.”
“On so many levels, my dream trip still remains South Korea,” says “Top Chef” winner and “36 Hours” host Kristen Kish. “When my time is right, it will happen. I’m not quite ready yet, but it doesn’t keep me from thinking about exploring the place where I was born.”
Tyler Florence is a chef, restaurateur and cookbook author, but he’s probably best known for his on-air work. The 42-year-old television personality is the host of the Food Network’s “The Great Food Truck Race,” which showcases teams of cooks traveling across the country, with the hopes of getting the opportunity to win their own food truck and a $50,000 cash prize. A father of three children, who range in age from 5 to 17, Florence says he and his wife love to travel. However, they take different types of trips these days to accommodate their youngest kids.
Sandy Dvorak is living every woman’s dream. While she sits behind a screen getting her hair and makeup done, two men she has never met before are sweating over stoves trying to create a dinner she’ll love. These men aren’t chefs, but rather Chicago singles hoping to win over her heart via her stomach.
These days – after 31 years of marriage – Jean and Doris Banchet communicate to each other in English. But when they met in England in the early 1960s, there was a considerable language barrier.