Chef Najat Kaanache to Be Featured in "The Whimsical Kitchen" Filmed Dinner at Historic James Beard House in New York City
New York, NY (PRWEB) July 22, 2013 -- Najat Kaanache, known as The Pilgrim Chef, will create a special dinner at the James Beard House on Tuesday, July 23rd in New York City. With her keen eye for presentation and ability to translate her unique sensory perception onto the plate, Chef Najat engages all the senses and brings a playful twist to haute cuisine. She nabbed top food styling honors at the 2013 IACP conference in San Francisco with her creative “Edible Dalí” lobster dish. Chef Najat trained extensively at famed restaurants El Bulli, Noma, Per Se, The French Laundry and Alinea and has lectured at Harvard University, New York University, Le Cordon Bleu Institute and the 2013 World Science Festival in NYC. Her mission is to juxtapose science and culinary creativity to unleash the wonder of food and instill nourishing traditions in households across the world, educating and inspiring underprivileged women and children.
Born in San Sebastian of Spain’s Basque Country, Chef Najat has traveled extensively pursuing what she calls “the whimsical spirit of food.” She has embarked on a journey spanning over 16 countries and ultimately landing her in the United States where she is dedicated to training children to recognize and respect the beauty and importance of clean, natural food. Philanthropy has always played a central role in her life. Throughout her journey, Chef Najat has worked to advance not only her own knowledge of global gastronomic culture, but to improve the lives of disenfranchised women and street children the world over. Her most recent culinary presentation at the World Science Festival had children literally painting and eating their own healthy fruit and vegetable artwork on edible canvases.
Since 2011 Chef Najat has forged a strategic partnership with the White House Executive Pastry Chef, Bill Yosses, to educate American children on the importance of having a healthy relationship with food. Says Najat, “Children are our future, so we must all come together to do what we can to inspire them, educate them, and make a difference in their perception and understanding of food. That is why I approach food preparation and presentation with great respect, like a work of art. We all need to eat every day. Food is the single most important and direct connection between human beings and our Earth so it has to be a healthy one. I’m immensely proud and honored to create this dinner at the James Beard House. I believe in the power of gastronomy, it has no fixed culture and sharing its magic brings humans together.”
As a breast cancer survivor, Ms Kaanache also strives to achieve her dream of becoming a Michelin- starred female Chef in hopes of inspiring fellow cancer survivors and all women to fight to achieve their dreams and thus become champions against any and all odds.
Press wishing to request interviews with Ms. Kaanache or cover the event should contact NH(at)NicollaHewitt(dot)com or visit http://www.NajatKaanache.com.
Nicolla Hewitt, Nicolla Hewitt Communications, http://www.nicollahewitt.com, 9177703166, [email protected]
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