Without a doubt, growing up in Florida certainly had a major impact on the way I connect to and prepare cuisine. The family restaurant was purchased when I was 7 years old. It was located literally on the powder white shoreline of the Gulf of Mexico, on an enchanted barrier island called Sand Key.

 

A typical day would be to catch a fresh fish, and honor the catch by saying a simple prayer. Then it was brought upstairs to the main kitchen. We would prepare the fish whole only removing the organs. The opening was filled with fresh slices of lemon, garlic, onion, and herbs while the outside was smothered with the same, plus peppers and tomatoes. Then it was placed in the oven to bake. When it was finished we would grab the head pulling it in one swoop magically removing all of the bones, skin, and scales, leaving only moist fresh tender filet, flavorful juices, and perfectly roasted vegetables.

 

My mother, uncle, cousin, and I (we were the kitchen crew) would then gather at our usual table, to begin our wonderful feast. It was located in the dining room, three stories up, at a massive sliding glass window with a balcony. The magnificent view overlooked the Gulf shoreline, the surrounding barrier islands, and a near distant mainland. From here we nourished our bodies from the blessed meal, while nourishing our beings with the calming meditative surf, gentle soothing breeze, and colorful mesmerizing sunset.

 

From those elements my culinary consciousness was formed, heightening my sensitivities, and nurturing my internal garden, which I have been tilling the soil to ever since. Mother Nature is and always will be my exclusive inspiration. The vast light of her beauty provides me an ever faithful, infinitely creative, and divinely illuminated guide.

 

Although my roots were formed with me consuming and preparing all types of meat and seafood, through life's journey I began adopting more of a vegetarian lifestyle. So I do try to encourage a modest consumption of meats for several reasons. I know for a fact that we can be properly nourished without consuming them on a daily basis. A gorilla is an amazingly

powerful primate, far beyond human capabilities,

and primarily consumes tiny little stems & shoots.

 

Over the years my passion for delicious, wholesome, and healthy foods has continually evolved. I am a strong believer that our health is determined by the foods we eat and the energy that goes into preparing them. Although presentation does have a factor, it is always secondary to a

dish's nutritional value and taste. Health and well being matter the most.

 

gezim