Interview with:Christa [ccarretero77]
COOKING
 | When did you start cooking? Who got you started in this art? When I was 8. I would say my Grandmother. |
| Why did you decide to pursue a career in food? 2002 I think. |
| Is there a website or blog where we can see something about you and your cooking? http://cookinggirl.org |
| What culinary training have you received? Where have you learned more, in class or by experimenting? I attended the California Culinary Academy. While attending the California Culinary Academy I did a stagiaire at Chez Panisse on Saturdays. The most I learned was at Cafe Atlantico working for Jose Andres. My chef, Katsuya Fukushima.....taught me everything I know. |
| How and where did you get your first job as a professional cook? I got my first job by writing Chef Jose Andres and telling him I wanted to cook for his company. He started me at Jaleo on the salad station. |
| How would you define your style? I love using fresh food....my style is fun and playful, simple and creative. |
| Do you select and buy the ingredients yourself? Where? Right now yes I buy the ingredients because I decided to be a personal chef. Being in Oklahoma right now farmer's markets are still evolving so I do most of my shopping at the local grocery store. I don't do enough volume to use a purveyor. |
| What is your favorite spice to cook with and why? I don't have a favorite. |
| What is your signature dish or your favorite recipe? I think my favorite thing to make....for myself to eat anyway is mashed potatoes. |
| What is your favorite cooking gadget? Vita Mix. |
| Who have been the biggest inspirations in your career? Katsuya Fukushima and Ruben Garcia. |
| Do you have an funny kitchen incident to share with us? Luckily no one saw but my pants split up the butt one day. |
| If you were stranded on a deserted island for one year, what dish would ask to eat after your rescue? Hamburger and french fries. |
| If any chef in the world could prepare a meal for you, who would it be? Katsuya Fukushima. |
| Men versus women: do they cook differently? No. Each individual cooks differently. |
| Is there something you hate to see when you go to a restaurant as a customer? When the waitstaff does not know about the dishes they are selling. |
| Do you sometimes find yourself eating junk-food? YES!!! I still love junk food. Burgers and fries are my favorite. |
| Who cooks in your home? Me |
| Tell us about your favorite wines and other drinks to accompany food. I'm from Oklahoma so I just like coke tea or water. I'm more about the food than the wine. I like wine by itself. |
| What tendencies do you see coming on strong? To increase my knowledge. |
| What do you think about molecular gastronomy in terms of introducing chemical elements into dish preparation? I worked for Jose Andres who worked for Ferran Adria. Cafe Atlantico was in the same restaurant as The Minibar. I saw it everyday. I love it and am glad I could be around it. I may not have appreciated it while I was there but I could kick myself for not taking more advantage of it. |
| What new techniques are you interested in learning I still have a lot to learn. Many techniques to perfect. |
| What are some of your professional goals for the future? To open Oklahoma up to some new and different things in food. |
| What advice would you give to someone in high school who would like to pursue a culinary career? Make sure you are ready to give up normal hours, social life and a dream of making a lot of money like the chefs you see on tv. |
| What would you say to a novice in the kitchen to help them get over their fear of cooking? It's not rocket science and it's just food. |
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592 visits Whohub
Christa
Oklahoma City USA
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