Sharing the Cuban Spirit

By Cynthia Carris Alonso

Cuban chefs are alchemists who transform limited ingredients into savory dishes full of flair and flavor. For this book, I had the great honor of collaborating with Cuba’s most distinguished entrepreneur restaurant owners, chefs, and their staff members. I was welcomed into the kitchens of their privately run restaurants, or popular paladares—small, family-run restaurants located in their homes.

With this book, we give voice to Cuba’s most notable chefs working today. We share their recipes—many written down and translated for the first time—and their stories, inspirations, and techniques. We also extend an invitation to you to travel with us into their paladares and restaurants, as well as the neighborhoods where they are located. My hope is that you’ll be intrigued by the energy, color, and character of Cuba, and inspired to make its most flavorful dishes in your own home. Cuba is so close to US shores and yet, for many Americans, it is mysterious and foreign. A Taste of Cuba offers the opportunity to transcend time and politics, for a unique glimpse into the enigmatic Cuban culture through its people and their food.