Message from the Chef

I have many great memories of Cuba, especially of Guantanamo, the place of my birth. Even though I was very young when we left the island, I can think back and recall many details from my early life there. When I close my eyes it's almost as if I can actually still smell it, hear it, feel it. Waking up in the morning at our family's home, I remember being greeted by the aromas of freshly baked Cuban bread and Cuban coffee, tropical birds chirping in the palm trees, and the warm caress of a soft ocean breeze.

From my humble beginnings, I have traveled down many culinary paths, met some wonderful people, and had my share of 'bad chef days' -- but have thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. My passion for food is closely related to the love I feel for my family, friends, country, and culture. Recreating authentic Cuban recipes is the way that I demonstrate this love and invite others to share a little piece of my personal history, and my country.

Embarking on this new phase of my life as a chef and producer of natural, wholesome, artisanal Cuban foods fills me with joy and excitement. It is an opportunity to share my experiences with the world, and is a testimony to the strong connection I have with my native land and its people. For me and many other Cuban Americans alike, cooking is just not about eating -- it is about remaining in touch with our heritage and our traditions.

In my own family, every meal has the potential of becoming a fiesta. What starts out as, 'Hey come on over for a cup of coffee' can quickly turn into 'You've got brisket' Let's make ropa vieja!' The savory smell of meat simmering in the herb infused water, the pungent fragrance of homemade mojo and its garlic, onions, and fresh citrus permeating the kitchen, and the crackling sound of sweet plantains hitting a hot frying pan draws everyone closer together. I regularly telephone my aunties in Miami, 'Tias! I just made the best meal ever!' And I mean it, every time.

Preparing Cuban food has become the common denominator between the country where I was born and the country in which I now live, the United States of America. My last day in Cuba, January 5, 1962, will forever be a part of me -- even the knot in my stomach. But it is my love of cooking that transcends the distance between these two places; it closes the gap and has become my way of life.

From me to you, Havana Road Artisanal Foods are made with love, and all from the heart.

-- Marta Ines Quintana, August 2009