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Nina Compton is a James Beard Award-winning restaurateur and chef. She has built her career on her passion for vibrant flavors, and her curiosity about the world. Born in Saint Lucia And now based on New OrleansThe Top Chef The runner-up and fan favorite started her culinary career as a chef in kitchens such Daniel The following are some examples of how to use New York City The following are some examples of how to get started: Scarpetta The following are some examples of how to use Miami Beach She opened her Caribbean-inspired gems before opening in New Orleans. Compère Lapin The following are some examples of how to get started: Bywater American Bistro For those who are in the know, BABs.
It’s not surprising that her cooking is a celebration of a love of culture and place. Cartagena, Colombia. Compton had long wanted to visit the Caribbean port city for quite some time—really, since she was last invited in 2022 for a guest chef series that she wasn’t able to attend. She cleared her plate two years later and spent a week in the city with her husband, August 2024. They split their time between the Old Town’s charming streets and the hidden-away neighborhoods. Blue Apple BeachOn a nearby smaller island.
To prepare for the trip, she chose You can also check out our other blog posts. Prepare yourself. Compton says that she did not do any research on restaurants before her trip, nor did she read reviews. Compton’s goal was to “be surprised and have no expectations” other than a few recommendations made by mutual friends in Cartagena. Compton found hidden gems in Cartagena, and spontaneous bites. She also developed a strong belief that Cartagena should be more prominent on the culinary map of the world.
Cartagena, as a food destination, is not my first choice. It is a good idea to get a hold of someone else. Compton says. Compton says that it is a place where people should go to experience the most beautiful and thoughtful things. In time for her brand-new cookbook Kwéyòl/Creole Compton (Penguin Random House), this month, chatted with Us about her favorite places in Colombia’s colorful city to eat and drink.
What was your first meal after landing?
It is a beautiful place. We dropped our luggage at the Townhouse Art Hotel. I was thrilled about All of us are able to do this..
We walked to the next street from our hotel and, on a whim, we found this lovely alleyway, with houses in pink and yellow, with flowers and plants all over. The sun was shining and the alleyways were more beautiful. Each one was a pleasant surprise. Before lunchtime, many people were busy selling different things. Some sold coconuts, coffee and some a type of fried bread. It was total sensory overload for a chef—because there are fresh fruit carts that are perfectly arranged everyday, so much thought is put into the way they have everything displayed, the oranges, the mangoes, the berries from the palm trees. As they say there, “you eat with your eyes”—so it’s very appealing, these colors and smells. For my first taste, I just wanted to eat like a local and just go and try the street food—it was an ice cold coconut from one of these stands, where they cut the shell open for you to scoop the jelly out.
What is your favorite breakfast?
