12/14/2025
I'm still buzzing from last night's chef event! 🎉 We might have had only six reservations, but those six guests brought enough warmth and energy to fill the whole room. It turned into such a fun, intimate evening – truly a night to remember. 🙌 Thank you to everyone who attended and made it so special!
I also want to give a special shout-out to two incredible people behind the scenes. Doris, the owner of Puerto Rican Spice, thank you for graciously hosting us in your beautiful space (and for all your support! 🙏). And to my amazing girlfriend Jacalyn, thank you for being my rock and helping with everything behind the scenes ❤️. I couldn’t have done it without you two!
And now, let's talk about the FOOD 😋🍴 – the real star of the evening! We put together a menu that took everyone on a little culinary adventure:
🥣 Moqueca – a fragrant Brazilian seafood stew, served with crispy farofa-dusted tostones (fried plantains with toasted cassava seasoning). So comforting and flavorful!
🥟 Bolinhos – savory little fritters that were gone in a flash. Crunchy outside, fluffy inside, and utterly addictive! 😁
🥭 Tropical Mango Salad – bright and refreshing, with juicy mango, sweet grapes, crumbled queso fresco, and a zesty citrus vinaigrette. Summer on a plate! 🥗
🥗 Caesar Salad – a classic done right, tossed in our creamy house-made dressing. Because nothing beats dressing made from scratch!
🍛 Feijoada – hearty Brazilian black bean stew slow-cooked with tender braised short rib and sausage, served over fluffy coconut rice (with the traditional orange slice on the side for a burst of brightness 🍊). This rich dish had everyone scraping their bowls!
🥩 Churrasco – perfectly grilled steak, sliced thin and paired with coconut rice, topped with a drizzle of fresh chimichurri and garnished with an orange slice. Juicy, bold, and it disappeared off the plates in no time!
🍹 Caipirinhas – Brazil’s iconic cocktail made with fresh lime, sugar, and cachaça. We all raised a glass (or two) of this tangy-sweet goodness to celebrate the night! 🥂
For me, seeing everyone enjoy these dishes (and learning a bit about their stories) was the highlight of the night. 🥰 The room was filled with laughter, clinking glasses, and happy taste buds. It may have been a small gathering, but it truly felt like a big family feast by the end of the evening, full of joy and connection 💖.
I'm so proud of what we created and beyond grateful for this experience. You all made this chef very happy 👨🍳❤️. Thank you again to everyone who came out and supported us – you turned a humble night into something magical. Can't wait to do it again and share more good food and memories with you all. Here's to many more nights like this! 🥂🎉