My earliest memory of being in the kitchen revolves around Lemonade. As a child my friends all told me that I made the best lemonade. Thus began my first business venture of selling my lemonade and Grosella (in English known as Gooseberries) from a stand on the street.
I grew in a house with a big yard filled with a variety of tropical fruit trees including: lime, grapefruit, acerola, breadfruit, orange an orchid green house and an array of many different kinds of plants.
My grandmother was also a cook. For holiday’s such as Christmas and Mother’s Day she would do an incredible Cannelloni from a recipe my entire family was (and is) crazy about. Back then, there were no cooking channels or blogs, but rather Good Housekeeping and Betty Crocker. I believe this is where the famous Cannelloni recipe came from. To this day, my grown daughter insists on the Cannelloni for special occasions. It truly is a family tradition.
You would always find me in my kitchen and the kitchens of my friends, taking notes watching from behind the stove. Cooking has been my passion ever since I can remember.
After working in the communications business for 20 years I quit my job and established my floral design shop, Morivivi. Now, at the age of 60 I have decided to return to basics and teach what I have I learned as a home cook. It is in the kitchen where I feel my best. Friends and family gather at my counter and together we share stories that make us laugh and sometimes cry-as is life.
I have been teaching cooking classes to groups who enjoy the experience of cooking and later sitting down to a table as is common in the European cultures. I believe this is what I enjoy most about cooking, making people feel good from enjoying a simple dinner. There’s a particular joy that I take from cooking and sharing my recipes with others, but most of all the culture the kitchen provides for gathering and sharing not only food, but our lives.
Hope you enjoy,
CLARISSA