Key West was a huge influence on chef Norman Van Aken, who became one of the great innovators in American cuisine. James Beard award winner Carlos Frías, the Miami Herald food editor, discusses how Van Aken hitchhiked from the Midwest, working odd job alongside immigrant day laborers, over Cuban coffee, pastelitos and croquetas on this episode of La Ventanita. See video interviews and read more about this chef at our website, MiamiHerald.com/ventanita.

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Chef Marcus Samuelsson, who was adopted from Ethiopia by a Swedish family at age 3, discusses becoming a TV star over Cuban coffee, pastelitos and croquetas. James Beard award winner Carlos Frías, the Miami Herald food editor, interviews Samuelsson about the distinctive upbringing that shaped him on this episode of La Ventanita. See video interviews and read more about this chef at our website, MiamiHerald.com/ventanita.

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Chef José Andrés, who was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria, sees the United States and all it represents in every bite of a pastelito or croqueta. James Beard award winner Carlos Frías, the Miami Herald food editor, discusses social issues with Andrés over Cuban coffee, pastelitos and croquetas in this episode of La Ventanita. See video interviews and read more about this chef at our website, MiamiHerald.com/ventanita.

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Chef Thomas Keller discussed how being the youngest of five brothers with a single mom influenced his life and helped him become one of America’s great chefs. James Beard award winner Carlos Frías, the Miami Herald food editor, discusses Keller's upbringing and his little known movie career over Cuban coffee, pastelitos and croquetas on this episode of La Ventanita. See video interviews and read more about this chef at our website, MiamiHerald.com/ventanita.

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French chef Daniel Boulud, owner of more than 15 restaurants, discusses his recent fascination with Cuban food over Cuban coffee, pastelitos and croquetas. James Beard award winner Carlos Frías, the Miami Herald food editor, discusses the upbringing that shaped Boulud and how his own's son is mirroring his childhood on this episode of La Ventanita. See video interviews and read more about this chef at our website, MiamiHerald.com/ventanita.

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Miami born chef Michelle Bernstein, winner of the James Beard award, discusses life as a woman chef years before the Me Too movement over Cuban coffee, pastelitos and croquetas. James Beard award winner Carlos Frías, the Miami Herald food editor, talks with Bernstein about how a 90-pound former ballerina went on to become one of the first women on the Food Network, on this episode of La Ventanita. See video interviews and read more about this chef at our website, MiamiHerald.com/ventanita.

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