the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Raquel Teixeira is from Minas Gerais is a state in Southeastern Brazil and is living in Guttenberg NJ. Raquel is a personal chef and is in competition with chefs from around the globe are invited to compete in an exclusive online competition to be named the worlds Favorite Chef, receive $50,000 and be featured in a two-page advertising spread in Bon Appétit announcing the winner.
https://favchef.com/2021/raquel
The competition will be donating a portion of the proceeds to Feeding America®, the nation’s largest organization dedicated to fighting domestic hunger through a nationwide network of food banks. For more than 40 years, Feeding America has provided nourishing food to people who are facing food insecurity while actively working to end the cycle of poverty and hunger. Learn more at https://www.feedingamerica.org
Racquel was awarded the Grand Diplome of Classic French Cuisine with Distinction and over 15 years of experience with many clients and families, I have sought to create exceptional menus, each according to the specific tastes, dietary requirements and expectations of my customers.
Starting on a dairy farm in Brazil, my family experience taught me that the preparation of meals, both simple or complex cuisine, created by hand is the path to people’s hearts. As a New Yorker and U.S. Citizen, and I was honored to be featured in the 2010 book Hopes, Dreams and Hard Times where my experiences as a chef and Reiki practitioner are highlighted.
The basis of her experience and credentials are from New York, from the New School of Culinary Arts (2006) and French Culinary Institute (2008), later expanded to le Condon Bleu Paris (2013) and extensive culinary training and research in Morocco, Thailand, Mexico, Spain, Portugal and France.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN COOKING?
Professionally cooking since 2005, I have worked for a group of seven priests at a NYC Church, a family with five children and several current clients who each require special menus and preparation as they are contending with brain cancer or are 99+ years old. Beyond preparing them their meals, I deliver my joy and care.
WHAT IS YOUR SIGNATURE DISH?
I have created several savory dishes throughout my career. What defines me is a dish I reinvented by growing up in Sao Joao Evangelista Minas Gerais – Brazil, where guava paste was a familiar taste. I perfected the recipe for Guava Souffle with warm cheese sauce – a dish that is both light and fluffy, but immensely satisfying and flavorful. It is always a favorite dessert among my clients and friends. It is the grand Finale !
WHAT WILL YOU DO WITH THE $50,000?
I will drive across the United States this summer to enjoy all of the tastes and sights of many states of our beautiful country. From jambalaya in New Orleans to all of the wonderful southern barbecue to the great flavors of the southwest and blended California cuisines and styles, I will add to my knowledge of ingredients, tastes and techniques by experiencing them personally. I will also travel to Brazil to visit and cook for my Big family and see all my relatives
My husband and I have had the pleasure of enjoying Raquel’s cooking. She obsesses over each ingredient and makes the meal preparation a wonderful experience.
We are pleased to get to know Raquel and follow her continuous improvement. Her dishes and their presentation are made with true love, which makes them have a special and unique flavor. Congratulations!!
She truly is the world’s best chef and deserves all the praise and recognition. Raquel has a gift, and top notch culinary is her way of giving it to the world.
Raquel is a remarkable woman who had the courage to follow her dream. Every dish she creates exemplifies her extraordinary culinary skills, passion for color and her commitment to elegance. Her creativity is endless and her passion for her craft reflects who she really is. She truly is the World’s Favorite Chef. ❤️