Treasure in Roatan – The Vintage Pearl’s Island Chef, Endy Reyes
October 11, 2010
Roatan, Honduras. No plans. No reservations. No local currency and not a care in the world. I never travel like
Travel tales. A collection of great markets, fabulous dining experiences, travel tips and conversations with chefs along the way. From off grid kitchens in the Caribbean to four star resorts and everything in between.
Roatan, Honduras. No plans. No reservations. No local currency and not a care in the world. I never travel like
Deep in the Caribbean in the Bay Islands off Honduras is a living gem – Roatan, Honduras. A day of adventure and Island Cooking.
In the heart of Old Havana, off Plaza de Armas, lined with book sellers and merchants, is a large awning covered outdoor restaurant lined with potted flowers and ferns – Cafe La Mina.
On my Life from Scratch journey Mexico was rest. Belize, recreation. And Cuba? Rebellion? Revolution? Nope. Resolution. Resolved to find
Chef in Profile: Executive Chef, Silvano Cruz – Sol Cayo Largo, Cuba
On the shores of Cuba’s Cayo Largo de Sur – a tiny island in the Caribbean off the south west coast of Cuba – stretch miles of sandy white beaches. A haven to tourists; I was warned, “if you‘re offended by nudity, this is not a place for you”.
The sun is thin, rising behind the mountains to the east that are the ridgeback of Roatan, a 40 mile stretch of land surrounded by reefs. The home beach – West Bay Beach is a sunset beach, shaded by the mountain in the early morning, it makes it a cool walk, swim or… run. It has been my practice for the last two weeks to go to the beach as the sun comes up and… move.
A trip to Belize is not a short jaunt from Canada no matter which side of the country you live on. Despite being just south of Mexico, flight fares are steep and options are few. Until one day a well traveled friend suggested looking at this trip from a different direction. Pick up a cheap flight into Cancun and then book a regional flight from Cancun into Belize City. Genius.
On the back steps of the kitchen, in the tropical paradise of an idyllic atoll off Dangriga, Belize; Phillip Matinez shares a family favorite, Sweet Potato Pudding Recipe (known in Belize as “Pone”). It became a favorite of those of us paddling for pleasure with Island Expeditions in the turquoise waters of the Caribbean.
Tourists lounge by the pool. Taut nubile bodies in high-cut bottoms and slack pale bodies with no right to “Speedo”. Bless Brazilian women. Bless European men. He strides by with the same confidence as she – her naked, round rear half exposed in the sun… him… flashing as he walks.
It smells good. No, strike that, it does not smell good, it smells fantastic. With a kitchen this creative and ingredients this pure, the Wooden Monkey thrills the senses from the moment you walk through the door.
The cafe bustles, three tables seem to overwhelm the staff and proprietor. Content, I wait and ponder the couple across the aisle. She smiles at him like a lover. He looks at her like a meal ticket.
It’s hammock time. Swinging in the breeze, on the atolls off Belize in the heat of midday, a rhythm finds me.
Hi, I’m Cori.
Nice to meet you!
Food professional and former innkeeper, this is where I play with food. I believe food (and LIFE) doesn’t have to be complicated, to be good.
Pro shortcuts, and easy, delicious recipes that help to save you time and money. Plus a few juicy life bits to make your world go ’round.
Live your DELICIOUS life.