CRESTVIEW — Television chefs may make it look quick and easy to whip up something with an impressive foreign-sounding name, but when it comes to helpful advice for the North Okaloosa County home kitchen, it’s the local chefs and cooks who’ve got it.
The News Bulletin visited five area chefs in their kitchens, who shared their suggestions.
1. JULIE SPEARS, Sherry’s Restaurant, Holt
Julie’s a busy mom whose passion is baking. The first thing she does each morning is create Sherry’s mouthwatering desserts.
But when she’s at home, her kids get as much attention as her cooking.
She offered this advice for busy moms with lots of children: don’t throw them out of the kitchen.
“Always involve your children,” she said. “Put them to work doing simple things.”
2. JOSEPH McDUFFIE, The Wild Olive, Crestview
The son of The Wild Olive’s founders, Susan and Mike McDuffie, Joseph has indulged in his love of fine cooking since the restaurant opened.
He is currently its head chef, creating many of its signature menu selections.
“Clean as you do. It’s the biggest thing,” he said. “That’s what we do here a lot. It keeps things from piling up and makes sure you have a clean spot ready when you need it.”
3. ANDRÉ BOOKER, Buddy’s View BBQ, Crestview
André Booker arrived in Crestview from his birthplace in Buffalo, New York, by way of the Pacific Northwest, where after managing restaurants in national parks, he headed southeast to be with area family.
He’s adding his innovative experiences, including as a candy chef, to Naaman Eicher’s Buddy’s View BBQ trailer.
“Take your time,” he advised home cooks. “Patience is very important. You might get it wrong the first time, but you’ll get it right the next.”
And what should the family cook do if he or she still can’t get it right?
“Call me,” Booker said with a laugh.
4. JOHN CARLOS MACASAET, Thai Siam, Crestview
Thai cuisine is noted for its use of many vegetables.
John Carlos Macasaet, who prepares many of Crestview’s only Thai restaurant’s sauces and other dishes, said, “Always use fresh vegetables. They taste better and they’re cheaper than frozen ones. And they’re healthier and easier to cook.”
5. BILL TOANNON, Casbah Coffee Company
Folks hang out at “the Casbah,” as it’s familiarly known, as much for its home-baked pastries as for its coffees, teas and paninis. Co-owner Bill Toannon shared his daughter, Julie’s, secret for slicing fluffy rolls, like their cinnamon rolls.
“Instead of using a knife to slice the roll, which can flatten them and destroy the look, we use dental floss….We use that tiny string and saw back and forth and push down.
“It’s a nice clean cut … and there’s nothing to clean up.”
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 5 North Okaloosa chefs offer inside secrets (PHOTOS, VIDEO)