My reference is the same this days in Cartagena de Indias, Fritos and the celebration of La virgen de la Candelaria or The Virgin of Candles, a pagan celebration middle catholic middle Caribbean soul and between both parts: food, the breaking point for cultures around the world. 
Well, to be honest I lost the number of stories and urban legends around the La virgen de la Candelaria but a good abstract perhaps is the affirmation about how this celebration is a symbol of our idiosyncrasy and definitely the Virgen and The food festival parallel to the church and prayers are part of this.
In fact, Gabriel García Marquez mentioned the celebration of La Candelaria in his novel“The Love and Other Demons” but in the same line the Arepa e huevo”and other exquisite and fatty street food having leadership in Garcia Marquez work. Probably our Nobel winner not only woke up the curious about Macondo thanks to his magical realism also the Nobel committee must be interesting in carimañola, buñuelitos and sweet arepitas with local cheese.“Vivir para contarla”his biography, “12 cuentos peregrinos””Memorias de mis putas tristes”and also“The love in time of cholera" and “A hundred years of solitude”establish a close relation between gastronomy and literature.
García Marquez is a complex Universe of magical stories from my region, from my country, yes…Colombia, and I just can feel an inner sunshine discovering a new Me every single time reading my favourite author and comparing his passion for food with mine.
Fried food is in everywhere, why? Is easy, is for everybody, is fast and popular… perfect for societies don’t you think?
In our present we have time for nothing! And the best food sometimes is available on the streets and by the way, with more than lucky is the best one for the best price. All of us in a moment just determinate by streets destiny went for food with "that guy" in the corner! and accepted come on! “That guy” prepare the best hot wings or mole…or chuletas! and you just trust in the same flavor, and the same corner. Food is also about confiance and custom.
Don’t feel guilty for that… is not than original, the global conditions determinate it and also the fast food in India or Italy is similar to fast food in Cartagena de indias, point for RebelChef, my affirmation is the same “we are global citizens and cultures interconnected for generations” the successes in my opinions is like make a perfect soufflé cause is not my ego is happiness thanks a correspondence reachable.
Just change the topic and the celebration if you want it, change“Arepa e huevo”for Dumpling or a burrito and another religious celebration, the dynamic is the same: people, food and culture. Societies around the world like to share food experiences and better combined with a party and also the Virgin or Goddess in the middle of the carnival...much better!
Let me invite you to my city, Cartagena de Indias, but come to MY city, the other Cartagena not with big walls and spanish history, enjoy the barrio! enjoy a "mesa de fritos", enjoy the patacones in Manuela's corner, come with me to my kitchen and let me show you what is our real traditional food cause is far form Red Snapper with coconut rice and salad...believe me!
Cartagena lives in many moments is the past and the present, is a city waiting for a better future and equal conditions, is the host and home of a big migration from Venezuela, is my city and I just can appreciate what the city did for me, make me a stronger woman, made me a Chef and artist.
Cartagena gave to me so many things... like the apreciation of little things like a sunset, and literature, yoga, the theater, the ballet, my family and this passion for food and still give me one more gift this days: can think about me and Rebelchef. Is not than difficult understand why my soul always want return.
Cartagena gave to me so many things... like the apreciation of little things like a sunset, and literature, yoga, the theater, the ballet, my family and this passion for food and still give me one more gift this days: can think about me and Rebelchef. Is not than difficult understand why my soul always want return.
Cartagena is art in many ways and the art is filled with constrast.
But hey! if you come in January remember my recommendations, enjoy one of my cooking class and please do not avoid an Arepa e huevo in the corner!
see you soon Rebels...
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