Cooking, food styling, teaching, photography, baking, candy making, reading, culinary writing, menu and recipe development, farmer's markets, travel, comedy, music, blogging, metaphysics, spirituality, volunteering, interior design, improv, free style dancing, pop culture, world cuisine,party planning, backyard bbq's, decorating, theme parks, ethnic festivals, wine, mixology, fine dining, street food, bowling, go-carts, gardening, floral arranging, skating, swimming, ceramics, drawing
SLOW FOOD USA GOOD FOOD FUN! PACHAMAMA COFFEE COOP CUESA Share Our Strength Operation Frontline
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Music
Positive music, old school soul, bossa nova, spicy cumbia and sassy samba, salsa, World music, reggae, ska, mariachi,nu-jazz, neo-soul, classic rock, electronica, Chicago house, Latin grooves, 70's and 80's jams, funk, R&B, dance, classical. I have a huge iTunes collection!
Movies
Waitress, Serendipity, Hairspray,Dreamgirls, La Bamba, Like Water For Chocolate, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Saturday Night Fever, Grease, The Meaning Of Food, The Secret, That Thing You Do, Peaceful Warrior, Moonstruck, Birdcage, Tortilla Soup, Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory (original), A Christmas Story, Goonies, All National Lampoon's Family Vacation movies, Steel Magnolias, Breakfast Club, Sixteen Candles, Stand By Me, BIG, Shrek, Uncle Buck, Why You Crying?, Raw, Ghost, Pee Wee's Big Adventure, Fatso, ET,
9 to 5, Ratatouille, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Blues Brothers, well anything in Chicago...John Hughs flicks!
Television
No Reservations, Bizarre Foods, Food Network, Samantha Brown, Kathy Griffin D-list, Gourmet's Diary of a Foodie, Oprah, Joel Osteen, 20/20, Top Chef, Girls Next Door, Grey's Anatomy, Martha Stewart, South Park, Comedy Central, Sex and The City, Nip/Tuck, Best Week Ever, So You Think You Can Dance?, The Muppets Show, E!, Travel Channel, Rescue Me, Family Guy, Golden Girl's re-runs, old school cartoons like Tom & Jerry, Chilly Willy and Merry Christmas Charlie Brown!
Books
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Eat Pray Love, Kitchen Confidential, A Cook's Tour, The Nasty Bits, Don't Sweat The Small Stuff, Tender at The Bone, Soul of A Chef, Your Best Life Now, Dr. Wayne Dyer books, The Ethnic Market Food Guide, Food Lover's Companion. I have tons of food books, and magazines as well! Gourmet, Bon Appetite, Food & Wine, Food Arts, Sauveur, CHOW and Art Cuilnaire.
Heroes
My parents. All the cooks in my family! And the first chefs that sparked my curiosity for cooking Julia Child, Martin Yan and Justin Wilson. Love the Doughboy!
Do what you do....and do it well!!!
Alex~ The Food Diva
About me:
I am a sassy gal with a zest for Life, and a knack for cooking! If we truly are what we eat, then I am spicy, sometimes a bit cheesey and always fresh with ideas! I have been told that I have "lots of moxie!" and my food is "amazing!". I am working towards having my own cooking and travel show on TV so that I can share my love of food with all of you!! I enjoy teaching people to have fun in the kitchen, and sharing food and memories is a wonderful experience. I am a very positive person with lots of energy to share! I have been blessed with so many wonderful life experiences, and for that I am very thankful! I was born in Chicago and raised in a Mexican home. Food, music and cooking have always been an integral part of my life. I learned to cook from my Mother at the age of 4. I knew then that I was very interested in cooking and always wanted to learn more. I was fortunate to grow up in a very diverse neighborhood. I ate Polish pierogies, Greek gyros, Chinese shumai, Persian pastries and of course lots of Chicago favorites as well as homecooked Mexican comfort food. Every Christmas my family and I make tamales, which is from our Mexican heritage, as well as kolachy cookies, influenced from the many Eastern European friends my family had when I was growing up in Chicago. Holidays are always a feast of many flavors in our home. I lived in Florida for 12 years. I spent lots of free time in Miami. The flavors of the Carribbean are wonderful! Arroz con pollo, Jamaican jerk wings, Key West conch fritters, are among some of my favorites. After numerous years in the restaurant industry working as a waitress and bartender I decided to trade in my cocktail shaker for a set of knives and ventured into the kitchen. I gained an appreciation for food and cooking from my family. In culinary school I learned about the science, art and history of food and cooking. Each day I continue to learn more about food, flavors, tastes and culinary culture. I enjoy sharing my passion of food with my family, friends and students. I currently call San Francisco home. I truly love the bountiful year round produce, artisan cheese and breads as well as the vast selection of local wine. I work as a cooking teacher and private chef and truly love what I do! I have been blessed with oppurtunities to travel to Mexico, the Caribbean, Thailand, and have driven coast to coast across the USA. I have met wonderful people, enjoyed great sites and tasted delicious food. I plan on seeing more of this great World and experiencing more unique cuisines.
The name The Food Diva came from my friend Patrick during our time in culinary school. I always give my food such great attention and I strive to present the most inviting plates. I incorporate ingredients that are fresh, local and seasonal which highlight the vibrant colors, amazing flavors and array of textures that come to life in my dishes. I am a straight forward, no-nonsense gal that loves to cook and eat. What you see is what you get, both in Me and in My food!
My "Mod-Mex" recipes are making the rounds!!
In 2007 I completed a project with the US Apple Association. The recipes are Mexican inspired and feature United States grown apples. My recipes are being featured in grocery stores nationwide and have been published in various Latin Magazines!
Delecious Apple Recipes created by The Food Diva
Who I'd like to meet:
I would like to meet anyone who loves cooking and travel! Positive people with a zest for life and a passion to live it to the fullest!
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Nopalito's great. When it's raining try pozole or birria [not just for los fines de semana] with handmade tortillas and housemade masa. When it's not raining, try everything else.
May Your New Year for 2009 be the best ever with friends family and smiles for a healthy happy year!!!!!!! Good Food Good drinks, and those gut busting laughs and smiles!!!!!!!!!! 2009 Baby!!!!!!!
