50. Food, freedom, and sunshine, with Adriana Urbina

Adriana Urbina talks about being able to walk freely down the streets, being a happy person, and why food makes her happy.

Show Notes

• Adriana is a chef; the creator of Tepuy, a Venezuelan food inspired pop-up dinner; and a winner of Chopped
• Many things make Adriana happy, but the first thing is eating. Walking around the street without worrying.
• An ex boyfriend who had a bad situation in life but had a great disposition taught Adriana to appreciate the good things in life.
• Moving to a new country, not knowing anyone, and having to work to establish herself, forced Adriana to stay positive to move forward.
• Being free and independent, having her own life, made Adriana happy. Living in Venezuela, living with her parents, having a job but not being able to pay all her bills, didn’t allow her this freedom.
• Adriana loves food, but not just any food. It has to blow her mind, with a little sweet, a little salty. She loves learning, and food is a great opportunity to learn more (from the culture, people, the history behind it).
• Food has the ability to relive memories and unite people through past experiences. Bringing happiness to others through food makes Adriana happy.
• The beach also makes Adriana very happy. Her favorite is La Tortuga in Venezuela. Now that she’s in Brooklyn, she goes to Rockaway
• For people who say they don’t cook, Adriana says that cooking isn’t that hard, and it’s good for your health. However, every so often Adriana will have some takeout—sushi or pizza. For anyone starting to cook Adriana suggests salads are easy to make; she also suggests a vegetable lasagna by layering slices of butternut squash, zucchini, and eggplant, with white sauce (milk, butter, flour), and possibly meat or cheese if desired, then baked.