Interview with Award-Winning Chef to the Stars Ryan Rondeno
Interview with Chef Ryan Rondeno
Today on What On What's Good with Jovin Tardif, I am here with Award-Winning Chef to the Stars Ryan Rondeno. Some of his previous clients include Diddy, Will Smith, Xhibit, Common, Tyrese & more. In our #cinqque5tion interview, we discuss his training with globally-renowned chefs, mocktail/cocktail suggestions, a Halloween recipe recommendation & his FoodCulture App.
1. When did you know you wanted to be a Chef?
I’ve always messed around in the kitchen at a young age, but didn’t take it serious until the age of 16. I always thought that pastries would be a great avenue, but learning every aspect of the kitchen began to serve me well. I believe when the passion and inquiry increased, it was time to pursue a career in culinary arts.
2. Can you tell us about your training with globally-renowned chefs Emeril Lagasse, Anton Schulte, Mathais Wolf, Sue Zemenick and Gerard Maras?
I’ve had the privilege of working with a great group of chefs who helped mold me into what you see today. Each chef had their own style of meticulous training that helped mold many chefs under their command. After obtaining a college degree, I had the opportunity to work with chefs Emeril Lagasse, Anton Schulte, Mathais Wolf, Sue Zemenick, and Gerard Maras to enrich my culinary repertoire. I established culinary techniques in French, Italian, Southern, Cajun-Creole, and farm-to-table cuisines under these remarkable set of chef-teachers and mentors. The opposing schools of stark simplicity and grand detail expanded my culinary range, allowed me to strike a balance in developing my own gastronomic flare.
When Hurricane Katrina forced thousands to evacuate their homes in New Orleans, I relocated to Atlanta in 2005. It was there he rejoined the Emeril Lagasse Corporation as a saucier, butcher, and sous chef under the late Chef Michael Blydenstein. I moved on in 2008 and continued to hone my skills as a leader. I moved to New York where he became Executive Chef at a Southern style seasonal restaurant.
3. Do you have any Mocktail or Cocktail suggestions?
Don’t shy away from using glassware
Do away with the traditional glassware for the normal cocktails. Mix up the glassware. Use beer glasses for exotic mocktails. Tall Collins glasses and champagne flutes are a great choice as well.
Have Fun with Ice
From large squared ice, spheres, or even soft crushed ice makes a beautiful presentation in a glass. If you like to be creative, make ice cubes with sliced fruit and fresh herbs.
Mix It Up with Mixers
Dare to be different. Use mixer that create a great conversation. Infused juices, syrups, and sodas are great additions to a drink. Seasonal fruit purees give the mocktail depth and flavor.
Add Fresh Herbs & Citrus for Flavor
Fresh herbs are essential to giving the drink a unique feel. It doesn’t have to be mint or basil all the time. Explore with many herbs of the world. Citrus zest and juice add a punch that allow the drink to wake up the palate. If you want to create, consult your local farmers market for unique items.
Garnish
How are you going to finish your drink? Fruit, herbs or edible flowers are great finishing notes that send your mocktail into completion. Garnishes can give your drink balance. Use fruit to balance the sweetness of the drink. Fresh herbs and edible flowers add a bright touch that’s picture perfect.
Mocktail Recipe:
Sparkling Passionfruit Raspberry Limeade
Description
Try this passion fruit limeade you won’t be satisfied with anything else. Sparkling water makes this a sparkling limeade that everyone loves.
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Serves: 1
Ingredients
2 oz. Passion fruit
Juice2 oz.
Orange Juice
10 Raspberries, Muddled
¾ oz. Lime Juice
½ oz. Simple Syrup
1 oz. Sparkling Water
Lime Slices for Garnish
Raspberries for Garnish
Mint Sprigs (optional)
Instruction
In a cocktail shaker, muddle raspberries for 10-20 seconds. Add ice, passionfruit juice, orange juice, lime juice, and simple syrup. Shake vigorously for 20 seconds. In a glass, add ice. Pour limeade mixture into a glass. Top off with sparkling water. Stir. Garnish with raspberry and limeade. Enjoy!
4. With Halloween around the corner, do you have any recipe recommendations?
These soft pumpkin cookies are a great snack idea when having a pumpkin carving party! The almond maple cream cheese gives it a nice finishing touch.
Recipe Type: Easy
Time to cook: 40 minutes, Serves 8
Ingredients
12 oz. butter, softened
3/4 c. granulated sugar
3/4 c. brown sugar
2 eggs
1 c. pumpkin puree
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. allspice
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
1/4 tsp. ground cardamom
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
2 1/4 c. all-purpose flour
12 oz. white chocolate chips
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1/4 c. maple syrup
2 c. powdered sugar
1 tsp. almond extract
1 c. pepitas, toasted
Instruction
For the Pumpkin Cookies:
* Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
* In a KitchenAid mixer or using a handheld mixer, add 8 oz. butter, brown sugar, and sugar. Mix for 1-2 minutes or until light in color and fully incorporated.
* Add one egg at a time. Mix.
* Add pumpkin puree, vanilla, and white chocolate chips.
* Fold in flour, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, cardamom, cloves, salt, baking soda, and baking powder.
* Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
* Roll the cookie into golf size balls or use a small cookie scoop. Place evenly on the baking sheets. There should be 12 cookies on each sheet.
* Gently flattened the cookie dough with the bottom of a spoon.
* Bake for 10 minutes.
* Remove from the oven once turned light brown.
* Allow to cool for 2-3 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.
For the Almond-Maple Cream Cheese:
* In a KitchenAid mixer, add cream cheese, powdered sugar, almond extract, and maple syrup. Mix for 1-2 minutes at medium speed.
* Add 4 oz. of butter (1 tbs. at a time) and mix until fully incorporated. Taste.
* Refrigerate until ready to use.
For the Pepitas:
* Heat an 8-inch pan over medium-low heat. Add the pepitas.
* Cook for about five minutes. Stir frequently.
* The seeds will pop, puff up, and become toasted.
* Remove from heat. Set aside to cool.
Assemble:
* Once cookies have cooled, top with almond cream cheese.
* Garnish with toasted pepitas. Enjoy!
5. What can you tell us about the FoodCulture App?
FoodCulture was created to embody a personal and unique approach of food and flavor in the kitchen. I wanted to create cost-effective and flavorful scratch recipes that didn't break the bank. The App was also designed to have a one-on-one feel, as if I’m cooking with you each step of the way.
I've added a collection of recipes consisting of brunch, summer salads, healthy dinners, easy snacks, comfort food, cocktails, plus many more. As time progresses, I encourage you to look for seasonal recipes that'll be added every month.
Download and subscribe to the FoodCulture App Today!
Save & Access Recipes Anywhere * Premium Video Recipes * Integrated Shopping List * Shop Our Store * Download the Free App Today.
Google: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.weapp.recipeapp
Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/food-culture/id1538389448
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