— A MOMENT WITH CHEF

Grab a glass of your favorite libation, and join us for this exclusive chat with Chef Nat-DuPoux. — If you’re not one who enjoys beverages of the libation-type, any mocktail, or glass of ice cold H20, will do just fine. Cheers!

WHY BECOME A CHEF?

CND: The real question is, “why not?” I’m a true believer in doing what you love. It’s so simple: If you don’t enjoy what you’re doing, you create resentment for your work, and you likely won’t be performing at your best, you’ll just be going through the motions. When you are doing what you love? It doesn’t feel like a burden. It feels like you are doing people a favor by operating in your passion. Don’t ever forget, your talents and skills are not for you to enjoy, they are for you to bless others with…for them to enjoy!

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN COOKING?

CND: Like really cooking? with no supervision and without getting in trouble for being in my mom’s kitchen? I would say since college. When I finally had my own kitchen, and hungry friends, and no recipes at my fingertips (thanks ma lol), I had to figure it out. A lot of calling my mom for advice, watching Food Network (which I loved anway), and experimenting. I just got started, and never stopped…

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FOOD?

CND: Asking me “what is my favorite food?” is like asking me “what is your favorite way to breathe air?” …like what? However, for the sake of the argument, I will give you two of my favorite foods, because they are head-to-head most of the time, TACOS & CHICKEN WINGS. I usually get picked on for this, because I’m this trained chef who can cook a ton of things, but when it comes down to the things I can’t live without, well, there you have it! Tacos & Chicken Wings (all styles, all flavors, any time, any day).

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE DISH TO PREPARE?

CND: This is another one of those questions which depends on the day and the time, and my hunger level and or the ingredients in the kitchen lol. However, at first thought, I think of pasta dishes. So simple, but yet they can be so versatile. I love building sauces and layers of flavor from scratch — so making a pasta sauce, whether creamy, or acidic or just butter & herbs, I love how blank that canvas is, and where those flavors can go. Plus pretty much everyone loves pasta! (another one of my favorite foods lol).

DO YOU HAVE A PARTICULAR TYPE OF CUISINE YOU ENJOY MOST?

CND: Seriously…these questions are really subject to my feelings and cravings lol - I wouldn’t say I have a favorite (shocker), however, I could absolutely eat Mexican, Chinese, and Italian cuisines every single day if I had to. Growing up, my mom and I used to always go to this Mexican restaurant in Palmetto, FL called El Molcajetes, and I would binge on their homemade salsa & chips, order some flautas, and finish it off with fried ice cream (which isn’t necessarily an authentic Mexican dessert…but is delicious lol). The Chinese preference comes from my maternal grandmother who was Chinese & East Indian, and the Italian…well pasta, bread, garlic, olive oil, pesto…do I really need to go on? (finger licking)

WHERE DO YOU DRAW YOUR CULINARY INSPIRATION FROM?

CND: My culinary inspiration comes from several places. The foundation comes from my childhood, then layer on the explorations of my dining experiences as an adult, then throw in some Pinterest, and mix in Netflix food documentaries (they have some incredible shows, especially regarding International cuisines). and lastly, top it with visiting new restaurants locally, or in other cities / states.

STAYING IN LINE WITH WHERE YOU DRAW INSPO FROM, DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE CHEF?

CND: Besides my mom (who is a BEAST in the kitchen), I have to give the almighty culinary respect to Chef Gordon Ramsay. The crazy part, is I don’t know if I’ve ever completed an entire episode of Hell’s Kitchen…however…I fell in love with his approach to food when I began watching his YouTube channel, and this web series he would do out of his home. I love how he can take complex flavors and put them together in such a simple, yet profound dish. He has an incredible level of culinary knowledge which is very diverse in cuisines, and I’m a huge fan of the way he teaches and facilitates the conversation when he’s cooking. He’s direct, simple, and passionate!

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY DOING WHEN YOU AREN’T IN THE KITCHEN?

CND: Now that I think about it, it’s super rare that a day goes by and I’m not in the kitchen…smh! However, when I’m not in the lab, I am either playing with Hot Wheels, coloring, fake cooking and eating, or painting the town with my toddler (who is really a teenager) #boymom - When I have undivided me time? I am likely looking for something to leave my house and do, when I know I really just want to be in the house enjoying silence and freedom to watch what I want to watch on the TV. Likely binge watching something on Netflix, reading a book, sketching, or scrolling through Pinterest. I love checking out new food spots, and food festivals, and diving into the hidden gems around town.