Orlando, Fla.--Chef Norman Van Aken won this year's Torch Award. He is known as the founding father of New World Cuisine that celebrates Latin, Caribbean, African, Asian and American Flavors. He has also been honored as one of the, "Founders of New American Cuisine," alongside Alice Waters.
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| Chef Norman Van Aken receiving inaugural Torch Award, Florida Restaurant and Lodging Show 2015, Orlando, Fla. Copyright 2015 by Helen A Lockey |
In 2015, he participated in EXPO Milan's World Fair, where he represented Florida in an event titled, "American Food 2.0, United to Feed the Planet."
At the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Show, he recieved the first Torch Award. It was created to recognize a group of individuals or just one individual whose achievements have enhanced the restaurant and food service industry.
He is also the only Floridian inducted into the James Beard Foundation's list of "Who's Who in American Food and Beverage."
The first time Aken read the James Beard book he said, "It was like coming into a cave that was illuminated," smiling he added, "The cave was my brain."
Chef James Beard, born in 1903, was the one of America's first foodies. He got passion for food and using local ingredients came from both his mother and summer trips to Oregon where his family would catch and gather ingredients for their meals.
Aken's passion for food comes across with in the following sentence. "You are dealing with a living thing when you're working with food," he said.
You can taste Aken's food at his restaurant titled Norman's located in the Ritz Carlton, Orlando, Grande Lakes, Fla.
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