TORONTO — Shrimp, grits and signature dessert key lime pie were the featured items on the menu at a lively and inspiring Florida Keys & Key West cooking demonstration held at the Dish Cooking School in Toronto earlier this week. A media group embarked on a culinary journey, delving into the unique aspects of Florida cuisine, its rich history and exciting stories about local life in the Florida Keys, guided by their guest host, Chef Paul Menta. Menta, who made the quick trip north for the special event, shared up front that he was “a little more clowny than your normal serious chef.
” Growing up in Philadelphia, Menta was significantly influenced by his grandmother, who helped foster his love of cooking. Menta moved to the Florida Keys when he was 16. Paul Menta is different from your typical food-curious chef.
He is also a rum distiller, author and TV personality who appeared on the ‘Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted’ series this year, showcasing the local flavours of the Florida Keys & Key West. Menta is also happy to go into anyone’s kitchen to learn a family dish or two. And when he’s not in the kitchen, you’ll find him kiteboarding in Key West.
So, what’s Chef Paul’s secret ingredient when cooking? “A little bit of love goes into things; it goes a long way,” says Menta, adding, “when we sit and share a meal, I believe it brings the community together.” Menta touched on the resilience of the people in the Keys and the hardships they encountered back in th.
