CHEF PERSPECTIVES ~ CAT CORA

I’ve had the privilege of interviewing Celebrity and Iron Chef Cat Cora several times at Chicago’s International Home+Housewares Show.  Her animated persona and passion for the culinary showed throughout our time together.  Not only is she the only woman to have the prestigious title of Iron Chef, but she is also a highly successful entrepreneur with a number of restaurants (“Cat Cora’s Kitchen”, “Cat Cora’s Gourmet Market”, and “Ocean Restaurant”); she also has her own private label food company and housewares line, and is the founder of the global philanthropic organization, “Chefs for Humanity”.  I’ve also had the opportunity of reviewing her cookbooks, one of which is included in this article.  Lastly, her down to earth and welcoming persona, plus her innate ability to simplify even the most complex of recipes for the home cook, have endeared her throughout the years and to her many fans.

Cat Cora is a busy mother of four young boys (need we say more!) knows all about the key to a healthy lifestyle, and that’s having balance in one’s life.  As a chef, she’s also no stranger to food and hospitality being catalysts of conviviality and fellowship.  Family and food were always an integral part of her formidable years; her Greek heritage and Southern roots taught her early on how great the two cultures and cuisines paired together.  Food was fresh, local and although it wasn’t a term coined yet, it was natural and organic; these local foods and those sent to her family from their homeland-helped ground her in both culture and cuisine.  Over time, she became more passionate about food, opened a restaurant, went to culinary school and became an extraordinary chef and entrepreneur.  She remains true to her heritage and upbringing on all levels; and, no matter where she appears, it’s always a celebration of food and hospitality; her legions of fans are part of her culinary family and what better way to celebrate the family than through food.

Interviewing her is always a treat for me because it gives me an opportunity to have a better understanding and appreciation for her extraordinarily busy schedule that includes making numerous event and television appearances, testing and perfecting new recipes, developing her new app for the iPad (Cat Cora’s Kitchen), insight into her own line of food and wine products (Cat Cora’s Kitchen) and her collaboration with Canada’s leading brand of kitchen prep tools, Starfrit; her collaboration includes critical input on design and, as well as researching ways to simplify and streamline design profiles while incorporating improved efficiencies in both functionality and materials; wherever possible, recycled materials are used as an investment in sustainability.  

She’s extremely proud of bringing cooking into the homes of so many, who otherwise might not feel comfortable being creative in this area; her simple and quality basic tools continue to help the home cook realize that cooking isn’t a mystery.  Since we all have to eat, it might as well be easy to prepare and delicious.  These two aspects definitely describe this extraordinary chef.  You can find the Cat Cora name at restaurants, in airport restaurants and also at Disney online.  Giving back to the community is vital, and her cooking passion transcends into her ongoing charitable project, Chefs for Humanity (CFH), which she founded in 2004.  CFH programs have been making the difference throughout the world with its programs in hunger relief, nutrition education and disaster response. 

Cat Cora’s Classics With A Twist: Fresh Takes on Favorite Dishes (with Ann Krueger Spivack) cookbook offers the beginner to the advanced home cook a journey into simple, delicious, quick and healthy dishes.  The cookbook’s Introduction presents a glimpse into Chef Cora’s background and motivation to transform many traditional foods and recipes she grew up on.  She wanted to simplify and make healthier many of these dishes, as well as others that are popular to most palates, while keeping in mind the demands of busy parents who may not have a lot of time to prepare a full meal that’s healthy, but want to provide healthy food for their loved ones everyday.  The cookbook is full of easy to follow recipes with a simplified list of ingredients.  The cookbook is full of beautifully photographed finished dishes that realistically illustrate what the dish will look like.  Sections include recipes on Appetizers and Drinks, Soups and Salads, Main Dishes and Sides and Desserts.  There’s also a Good to Know section that is a primer of how-tos on making kitchen staples like soup stocks, homemade mayonnaise, infused oils, salsa, roasted garlic, southern corn bread and Herbes de Provence mix.  There’s also a Resources section that lists companies that sell some of the ingredients used in some of the recipes that might be a bit difficult to find in some areas.  The recipes, like the chef, are honest, simple and uncomplicated, down to earth and refreshing.

~ In Closing ~

You can read more about this extraordinary celebrity chef by checking out her website (see link).  Lastly, beyond her frenetic life as busy mom, chef, celebrity, industry icon, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, Chef Cora manages to find some time each day for herself.  She tries setting aside at least ten or more minutes each day to reflect, relax and meditate, as well as incorporating some form of physical activity into her daily routine; and, whenever possible, she finds the time to get a therapeutic massage.  All that being said, one of her favorite things to do as often as possible is to take time to unwind while enjoying a nice hot bubble bath!  

Lastly, although fresh ingredients are always better when cooking from scratch or preparing a family meal, as a busy mom she appreciates how schedules can become a problem for the home cook, and doesn't see a problem with taking a short cut, like using a store bought rotisserie chicken for those times when it's not realistic to cook one from scratch.  For more detailed information on Chef Cat Cora, visit her website at http://catcora.com

That’s it for this edition.  Until the next one, remember to always celebrate yourself and your culinary curiosity.  Happy cooking…happy eating!

By Terry Herman

TERRY HERMAN continues perfecting her passion for food and wine.  She has been covering culinary related for many years as it relates to wellness and a healthy lifestyle.  Her popular blog, Terry's Spa, Beauty and Wellness Go-To has featured formidable reviews of cookbooks, restaurants, wine and food, food prep and tools, chef interviews, and coverage of prestigious events such as the International Home+Housewares Show, the National Restaurant Show and the Sweets and Snacks Expo.  She has been published since the mid-1990s in both consumer and trade publications, and is regarded as an expert in spa, beauty, wellness, travel and lifestyle, and is frequently interviewed by publications for her expert content.  She has also presented at major industry conferences, and has served with distinction on numerous governing and advisory boards.  She has a background in strategic and qualitative management, consulting, and motivational speaking.  Her social media outreach includes Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter.  Don’t forget to “Like” her Facebook Page, “Terry’s Second Helpings”.  For additional information, email her at terry.herman@gmail.com.

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(Introductory photo credit, Food Channel; book credit, Amazon.)