Legendary chef Norman Van Aken is known internationally as “the founding father of New World Cuisine” for his celebration of Latin, Caribbean, Asian, African and American flavors. He is also known for introducing the concept of “fusion” to the culinary world. He is the chef and director of restaurants at the Miami Culinary Institute, and chef-owner of the fine dining restaurant NORMAN’S, at the Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes, Florida. The New York Times described NORMAN’S as Florida’s best restaurant, “and Norman Van Aken its best chef.” He is the only Floridian to have been inducted into the prestigious James Beard Foundation’s Who’s Who of Food and Beverage in America.
