LATIN TIMES MAGAZINE - 2019 Summer Edition | Page 13

2019 Cuban Sandwich Festivals
2019 Worlds
Best
Traditional
Cuban
Sandwich
Chef Iliana Cordero
C oncierge C hef E vents
LTM: What is your earliest memory
of a Cuban sandwich?
Chef Iliana: Let me start by stating
that I love the Cuban Sandwich, but
my passion for cooking savory food
goes way deeper. Growing up in
Central Florida, Spanish food was
a staple, and the Cuban sandwich-
es is one of the most well-known
sandwiches made by many. Making
the best Cuban Sandwich was about
finding a way to do what I love while
creating a legacy for myself and my
family. Participating in the Interna-
tional Cuban Sandwich Festival in
Tampa and Kissimmee allowed me
to start building a competitive expe-
rience with my family, too.
LTM: How did you learn how to make your Cu-
ban Sandwich?
Chef Iliana: I've been a chef for ten years, and
I love creating good food from any country. I
brainstormed a little with the family and my
mentors. In the end, we took the basic ingredi-
ents of a Cuban, and after a little tinkering, the
learning experience was over!
LTM: Tell us about your business and your team.
Chef Iliana: Concierge Chef Events started in
January 2018, as a company we have been grow-
ing and learning over the last year. My team
is my family! We are tight knit family support
each other no matter what the occasion. Ivette
Cordero (my mother), Jennifer Cordero (my
sister), Monica Almirall (my niece), Christian
Rhodes, Victoria Mercer, and Madison Velez.
Cooking together was instilled in me as a young
child. We often based major events in my family
around making traditional dishes together. We
would share stories and created new memories
together, and that's what I love about cooking
and food. Concierge Chef Events does the same
for many others that hire us to cook for them
in their homes for special events. As a team,
we work hard at creating a guest experience
that is customized and unique. We took the
Cuban in this case, keeping it traditional with
a special twist!
LTM: What makes your Cuban Sandwich bet-
ter than most – and may the BEST in your
opinion.
Chef Iliana: Cooking is my passion first and
foremost, and that's my secret ingredient. I
seasoned and braised the pork butt for hours
until the meat fell off the bone. Sliced up Ser-
rano ham. The trick to keeping the Sandwich
together was all in the pickle relish made with
Koops Mustard and the fresh Swiss cheese
sauce.
LTM: Tell us about your experience of compet-
ing in the Cuban Sandwich Festival.
Chef Iliana: I work and compete all over the
country, mainly in Atlanta, GA; but I had the
opportunity to compete in Florida, so I in-
vited my family to join me in the Kissimmee
and Ybor City to compete in the International
Cuban Sandwich Festivals. It was a first for us
as a team, and it was a lot of work, but it paid
off in a big way for us by taking wins at both
festivals was AWESOME!
LTM: What did being a winner in this contest
mean to you? And what impact has there
been if any?
Chef Iliana: Bringing the 1st place World's
Best Cuban Sandwich back to Atlanta has
been amazing. There are not many Latin
restaurants offering good food, let alone the
Cuban Sandwich. Since our win, we have
been hired for several private events and festi-
vals to share our winning recipe!
LTM: Do you think you have a chance of win-
ning again at the 2020 Cuban Sandwich Fes-
tival?
Chef Iliana: I wish all my competitors the best,
but we are coming for ya, and we plan to bring
home world’s best for years to come!
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