Norman Van Aken
Chef, Restaurateur, Cookbook Author
Norman Van Aken has been recognized as the originator of New World Cuisine, a cooking phenomenon that blends classic techniques with innovative American, Caribbean, and Pacific Rim ingredients, in particular the best exotic fruits and vegetables of these regions. His personal discovery of many of these items began in 1971 when he hopped in the back of a friends van, leaving Diamond Lake, Illinois, and ending up in Key West, Florida. Starting out as just a curious customer, Van Aken began with tasting, moved quickly to buying, and then eventually to professional cooking of these regional, then still unusual fruits and vegetables.
Van Aken not only fell in love with the ingredients, but he fell in love with the area. Throughout the 70's and early 80's, he introduced these fruits and vegetables into recipes both traditional and innovative. In the mid to late 80's, his fusion style of cooking helped define the "New World Cuisine" that was also being practiced by other local chefs, which was their way of honoring Florida and the local resources. Moving to Miami in the early 90's, Chef Van Aken was further inspired by the even greater availability of exotic ingredients.
His first cookbook, Norman Van Aken's Feast of Sunlight: 200 Inspired Recipes from the Master of New World Cuisine (Harvard Common Press) was first published in 1988. This was followed by The Great Exotic Fruit Book: A Handbook of Tropical and Subtropical Fruits with Recipes in 1995 (Ten Speed Press), the same year he opened his restaurant "Norman's" in the Coral Gables section of Miami. His next book, Norman's New World Cuisine (Random House) was published in 1997, and his fourth book, New World Cuisine - Latin America will be published in 2002.
Norman's restaurant has been recognized by the New York Times as "South Florida's Best" and by the Zagat Guide as "Best Restaurant in Miami". Conde Nast Traveler magazine has acclaimed Norman's as "One of the Top Ten Restaurants in the U.S.". The New York Times also named Norman Van Aken as "South Florida's Most Gifted Chef", adding to numerous other awards Van Aken has received from the likes of The James Beard Foundation, Food Arts, and Gourmet magazines.
The exclusive consulting chef for United Airlines South America and the Caribbean, Van Aken has consulted internationally on the New World Cuisine he helped create. Whether you're flying the friendly skies, or are down to earth in South Florida, you can enjoy the culinary genius of Norman Van Aken.
Norman's Restaurant is located at 21 Almeria Avenue, Coral Gables, Florida. For more information or reservations, please call (305) 446-6767.
For more information about Chef Norman Van Aken, visit his website at www.normans.com
