Food Without Boxes - What Do I Eat Now?

FOOD FROM THE EARTH - WHAT CAN I EAT THAT DOESN'T COME IN A BOX?

I feel that I was raised in a very health conscious family who considered fresh fruits and vegetables and important part of our diet. However, since I am a product of my bigger environment I have noticed in recent years how much more I can incorporate fresh fruits and vegetables in my cooking.

What I have learned over this past year as part of my culinary journey is the exquisite fruits and vegetables that come from the earth. Sure, I add a little this and that to my dishes. However, when I make an avocado salad it is simply tomatoes, avocadoes, basil, garlic and a little olive oil, salt and maybe a dash of balsamic vinegar. I taste the freshness of the tomatoes. I allow the pungency of the raw garlic to linger. I allow the chiffonade of basil and the avocadoes melt in my mouth.

I have also experienced some of the most amazing potlucks here on Maui. Sometimes people will just bring a bag of fresh kumkwats or a bulb of fennel or a bunch of bananas. Freshness at it's finest.

For my birthday this year a good friend used fresh fruit to decorate the table.

It was awesome. Nature's beauty was good enough. The pineapple stood on its own. It's the essence of the earth that we can savor and enjoy fully when the ingredients are fresh and untouched. The oranges added color and the bananas added texture and an artisitc flair. Why do we need special packaging when nature provides the perfect color and assortment and flavors.

I will admit that living here in Hawaii has opened my eyes to the variety and colors and freshness that is readily available. However, it's possible to eat fresh more easily nowadays wherever you live. Mango season is upon us again and I am reminded at the richness and the sweetness and the abundance that is available.

Mangoes grow freely. The trees loom largely and the fruit falls to the earth to be foraged and enjoyed. My mouth waters just thinking about it. It's exciting to use what we have and appreciate the abundance that keeps on coming. This to me is the gift that keeps on giving and it truly is a gift. Aloha.

Family Time in Maui

A Week with A Private Chef on Maui

Aloha. This past week I had a wonderful experience cooking for an extended family; father, mother, 3 sons, their wives, and their children (7 adults, and 5 children from ages 2 months to 16). The families were from different locations throughout California and one family was from Idaho. They wanted to spend time having a glass of wine and a quiet dinner together. In addition to dinners they had leisurely breakfasts cooked to order. Fresh fruit smoothies, Belgium waffles with orange whipping cream and macadamia nuts, and roasted potato fritatta were some of the delights. One of the favorites was the fresh grilled mahi mahi with orange vermouth sauce, sauteed coconut banana with macadamia nuts over a bed of chiffonade Swiss Chard served with rosemary sweet potatoes. Yum!

One of the sons kept telling me how tired he is of eating in restaurants and how his hands swell and his body cries for healthier home-cooked food. The impersonalism of traveling becomes very personal when you can enjoy private meals together.

The townhomes at the Ho'olei at the Grand Wailea here on Maui are of course a factor in creating the "wow" effect. The townhomes are gorgeously appointed 3 bedroom 3 1/2 bath oceanview 2-story buildings. The lanais have Wolf grills and 2 sub-zero refrigerators and freezers with a very large granite island. The facilities are spectacular.

However, what this experience made me realize is how important it is for intimacy and quality and special moments amongst families. Dinner time is importaant. This extended family took time out from their busy lives of families and careers and businesses to share quality time together on vacation. And by hiring me they were able to spend more time together and enjoy great food in the comfort of their home away from home. They didn't have to hire babysitters for the evening...the littlest ones were put to sleep and were monitored on baby monitors. The older ones could stay for as long as or as short as they wanted.

Some family members lingered for over 3 hours, some only 2. In a restaurant that could never have been possible. When one wanted to leave everyone would have to leave or the person who wanted to leave would have to stay and feel uncomfortable. The ease. The special moments. The conversations. The sunsets.

The children were fed. The lights went down. The wine glasses set on the table. The appetizer served. The meal made to order. The meals for the week were created with their preferences and choices. It was a win-win. I knew what they wanted and they could choose ahead of time. Every meal was different. Every experience was memorable.

I worked very hard this week but the rewards were tremendous. I pushed my culinary limits. I provided great cooking in a very intimate setting. I helped a family have an even better vacation here on Maui. It made me smile. It was a great experience because I was doing what I love and my guests were happy! They loved the fresh gourmet food. They loved the extra touches. And I know they loved the chocolate ganache cupcakes with fresh mango coconut cream! What more could I ask for.

Here's a quote from the mother of 3 who was really happy when she got back to Boise, Idaho!

I just wanted to say THANK YOU again for all of the wonderful meals you prepared and for your special accommodations for my kids and me. The fresh ingredients and light, healthy meal plans were fantastic, and I'm happy to say this was my first vacation ever where I did not gain weight -- that's right, not a single pound!! I give full credit to your healthful cooking, and I'm sure the attempted swim with the dolphins didn't hurt. :) Again, thanks so much. Bravo!
--Tessa M. (Boise, Idaho)--

Gourmet Lunch - Farm to Table

Almost 2 months ago my mother came to Maui to celebrate her 70th birthday. I created a magical week for her. On her actual birthday we woke up in the morning to do yoga on the beach. It was raining. That's a rare occasion in Kihei (desert!). She saw a rainbow and was so happy. It was a day full of surprises. I wouldn't tell her what we were going to do. I know I was excited. We were going to the O'O Farm in Kula to pick our fresh produce and have a chef prepare a lunch for us. It was raining but we picked fresh peapods and greens. It was so awesome.

The rain made the experience even more memorable. We were given rain capes and were shown the property. The guides are not only knowledgeable, but dedicated to their work on the farm. They have a selection of produce for their restaurants on Front Street, I'O and Pacifico.

Here on Maui I am continuously amazed at the ingenuity, dedication, love and commitment people here have to the land and to continued improvement. This working farm is an amazing example of this.

I know our meal under the rain covering with our wine and fresh bread was the perfect way to spend a day with my mom.

Being a Personal Chef

Aloha and Mahalo. It has been over a year now that I have been working as a personal chef. It has been a fascinating journey. And what's interesting is that my biggest fear of not having variety or getting bored definitely is not an issue in this field. It has been an amazing year of opportunities and growth. My birthday is in less than a week so I thought it would be appropriate to express my thanks and gratitude to this amazing island of Maui, its visitors and the local ohana that is so bright and beautiful.

I can now say that I specialize in gourmet fresh food with Hawaiian//Mediterranean influence. It's been awesome getting to know the local vendors for the freshest fruits, vegetables and herbs. I have also had a lot of fun creating new dishes incorporating these ingredients.

My clients have included families hiring me for the week in their luxury villa. Visitors here for weddings hosting private events at their oceanfront homes. Romantic dinner surprises. Guests having birthday celebrations for friends and family. People buying gift certificates for cooking classes as gifts for their friends here on Maui. Cooking classes for children. Thanksgiving lunches. Posh Christmas gatherings for 40. Raw food gatherings. I have have been able to get a name for some of my specialty desserts. I also have regular clients who get my gourmet meals weekly. I have traveled the entire island and my versatility and flexibility have given me many opportunities I could not have imagined.

This year has been a journey into the appreciation of celebration, food and being creative. I have learned so much this past year about the versatility of ingredients and the need to keep true to my desire to keep meals fresh, healthy, delicious and full of variety.

It has been awesome to help people celebrate events in a memorable and fun way. I appreciate the creative opportunity. It's an honor to be with people as they celebrate, whether it's a honeymoon, a birthday, a sunset, a holiday or just a beautiful day on Maui. Thank you Maui. Thank you everyone who has helped make this journey possible. Mahalo.

I will be writing again soon. Have a beautfiul day.