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Celebrity Chefs & the New Puerto Rican Cusine

Peter Greenberg Worldwide

Paella. Image credit via Flickr: yasmapaz & ace_heart

While these new chefs are putting Puerto Rican cuisine on the global culinary map, locals are embracing the changes as well.

“As Puerto Ricans have become exposed to a world of experiences, our palates have become more sophisticated as well and we enjoy these new takes on our local foods,” said Chef Hernandez-Lorenzo.

At Augusto, a restaurant that has been an island staple for 30 years, Chef Ariel Rodriguez (expect to see him on Iron Chef America soon) has reinvented the classic eatery by transforming flavors and textures to present modern food in an elegant way.

“I want to make people understand that there is more to our food when they come to visit,” said Chef Rodriguez. “Most of the time if they ask a concierge what to eat they’re sent to places that serve traditional rice and beans, fried fish; very simple dishes. I’m trying to present our cultural food in a beautiful way.”

Additional activities for purchase include a Napa Valley Vineyard Tent, a beach party featuring tapas style fare with live music and the Privileged Taste of Saborea opening reception where 20 chefs cook for 20 different tables offering food and wine pairings.

Intrigued by the culinary adventures taking place in Puerto Rico? Get a chance to sample the revolution in a concentrated dose at the Saborea Puerto Rico Culinary Festival from April 21 and 22, 2012. There’s tastings from over 60 of the island’s best restaurants, plus its famous rums, liquors, wine and beer. Each day there are nine daily demos and over 50 of the top chefs showing how to cook the new Puerto Rican cuisine. Expect to see Chef Hernandez-Lorenzo and Chef Rodriguez featured.

For other new ways to look at Puerto Rico, check out:

Text by Dena Braun-Roché for PeterGreenberg.com. Dena Braun-Roché, aka, The Fitglobetrotter, covers luxury, wellness and spa travel worldwide. Her work has appeared in Spa Magazine, Robb Report, Destination Weddings & Honeymoons, and Bridal Guide. Follow her travels and travel tips on Twitter @fitglobetrotter

Feature Image, credit: flickr user ted murphy

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