#VOZWOMAN | Grace Ramirez
Meet our latest #VOZWoman Chef Grace Ramirez, also known as ‘La Latina.’ Miami-born and raised in Venezuela, Chef Grace moved to New York when she was 24 years old. Her culinary style is shaped by her Grandmother’s kitchen and the communal gatherings of her large Venezuelan family. She has worked tirelessly to celebrate Latino cuisine and achieve star-status as a chef, television personality, and champion for women’s empowerment and sustainability.
Chef Grace shares about her recent brush with the novel coronavirus and how she's working with World Central Kitchen, a global organization that is providing emergency COVID-19 relief in the form of fresh, safe meals delivered to front-line workers and vulnerable communities.
Chef Grace in conversation with NEXUS from her home in Chevron Shawl
VOZ will donate 10% of sales through May 30 to World Central Kitchen in support of Chef Grace's efforts to supply 50,000 meals a day to first-responders and New York area heroes.
Having traveled the globe to perfect her culinary process (hunting and harvesting included), Chef Grace continues to see everyday as an opportunity to change the world for the better. In addition to writing and publishing best-selling cookbooks, Chef Grace empowers communities, especially women and minorities through the ritual of food. She also actively supports global food relief efforts throughout the world from Haiti to Puerto Rico and Venezuela.
Grace on the floor of the United Nations Headquarters in New York for Women's Entrepreneurship Day wearing the Cascade Wrap in rouge
"I can feel the profound transformation. I think going back into really appreciating the little things that we have in each moment, like what is right in this moment? What can I be grateful for in this moment?"
Grace at the American Museum of Natural History Aid for AIDS fall gala in honor of World Central Kitchen's work in Venezuela wearing the Backwards Wrap Dress in silver.
Grandma's Immune-Boosting Comfort Food
Straight from her grandma's table, enjoy Chef Grace's immune-boosting chicken soup.
La Latina: A Cook’s Journey through Latin America
Caldito del Pollo de la Abuella "Grandmother's Chicken Soup"
My grandmother believes that anything can be cured with this chicken soup — anything! It is the cure for the common cold, sore muscles or heartbreak. If someone is really sick, then you step your game up and kill the chicken yourself. In this case, Grandma says, 'Make sure to use the chicken's feet, because that's where the magical powers lie.' Grandma is always right.
Prepare: 15 minutes
Cook: 45 minutes
Serves: 6-8
Ingredients
- 11 cups water
- 1 kg chicken portions ideafly with bones and skin)
- 1 leek. white part on
- 1 sliced onion. peeled and roughly chopped
- 1 carrot. peeled and roughly chopped
- 1 stalk celery, roughly chopped
- 1 capsicum, de-seeded and roughly chopped
- 12 parsley stems (reserve leaves for garnish)
- 4 cloves garlic, peeled and mashed
- 2 bay leaves pink Himalayan salt, to taste
- Garnish chopped parsley and coriander leaves
- 1 spring onion or handful of chives, chopped lime wedges
Directions
In a large stockpot bring all ingredients except salt to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until chicken is cooked through, about 45 minutes. The time will vary depending on what cut of chicken you use; if using breast meat, it will cook much faster. Skim scum off frequently while simmering. Remove chicken, remove and discard the skin and bones, shred the meat with two forks or your hands, and return it to the pot. Adjust seasoning, especially salt.
Add the garnishes just before serving.
Chef's note: The chicken bones and skin will add more flavour, though you will have to skim more frequently. Skinless chicken breasts cook more quickly but add less flavour. If using only the breast reduce your stock by half. You can also add some chopped Agria potatoes or chunks of fresh sweetcorn for the last 20 minutes of cooking.
Follow Chef Grace on Instagram @chefgraceramirez.
Shop Grace's Look
This article is for informational purposes only, even if and regardless of whether it features the advice of physicians and medical practitioners. This article is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and should never be relied upon for specific medical advice. The views expressed in this article are the views of the expert and do not necessarily represent the views of VOZ.