Food Raconteur

Food Raconteur Food, Fusion, Tales. Fusion cuisine, Private dining, Private chef. Cooking Lessons and Workshops, Me

11/03/2025

GET READY FOR A TASTY SNEAK PEEK OF NOVEMBER'S DELICIOUS ESCAPADES AND MORE WITH FOOD RACONTEUR!!đŸœđŸœđŸœđŸœ

DON'T MISS OUR SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT DECEMBER 11TH,2025 👀👀👀

What a fantastic way to kick off this month! I am incredibly grateful for this recognition, ! It is truly an honor to b...
11/01/2025

What a fantastic way to kick off this month!

I am incredibly grateful for this recognition, ! It is truly an honor to be included among such distinguished gentlemen.

My dream has always been to wake up each morning and strive to make a difference, no matter how small.
It has been a long journey, but the rewards of hard work are always so gratifying.

This isn’t the conclusion; the path ahead is endless, and my journey is just beginning!

None of this would be achievable without the remarkable individuals who make it all possible every single day!

You all know who you are—thank you for everything you do to create moments like this.

Also a big shout out to !Thank you!

Potjiekos is the culinary wizardry of South Africa! Picture a magical cauldron—well, a cast-iron, three-legged pot calle...
10/30/2025

Potjiekos is the culinary wizardry of South Africa! Picture a magical cauldron—well, a cast-iron, three-legged pot called a potjie—filled with layers of tasty treasures. This Dutch oven marvel made its way to South Africa with 17th-century Dutch settlers, evolving from a hanging pot to a proud tripod for woodsy cookouts during the Great Trek.

This isn't your typical stew—oh no! It's a layered masterpiece, with meat holding court at the base, followed by a veggie parade and a starch top-hat. No stirring allowed, letting flavors mingle and get cozy, resulting in a uniquely textured delight.

Traditional potjiekos stars venison, beef, or other meats, with a veggie cast of carrots, cauliflower, pumpkin, and onions. Starches like rice and potatoes join the party, seasoned by South Africa's rich spice history.

Potjiekos is not just a dish; it’s a social shindig! Gatherings revolve around this simmering pot, uniting folks in a tapestry of tales and laughter as the flavors meld. The fire's kept low and lazy, with coals nestled around the pot's legs.

Back in the day, during the Great Trek, pioneers would fuel the pot with whatever they could scrounge—twisted grass, dried animal dung, you name it! Today, some cooks keep it old-school with charcoal, which burns hot and steady, perfect for this slow-cook symphony!

























One of the joys of having long-term clients is that, over time, you attend so many of their events that they begin to fe...
10/28/2025

One of the joys of having long-term clients is that, over time, you attend so many of their events that they begin to feel more like family than just clients.Over the years, these gatherings become cherished occasions where you not only witness but also actively participate in the milestones and celebrations of their lives.

Another delightful aspect is witnessing this family grow and thrive right before your eyes, which is truly a heartwarming experience.

Every event at Naina's place embodies this feeling, especially with the children!This time around it was for her son Yaqub's birthday—a joyous celebration filled with laughter and excitement.! It’s amazing to see how they grow; I can hardly believe that I once knew him as a baby, and now he’s a charming young boy!

Even though we were a little hard pressed, we knew we had to make this date work, especially since we couldn’t say no to one of our most cherished clients.😉

Thanks to our incredible team members, Rasmy and Emilee, we successfully delivered special treats for the birthday party.

* Beef Empanada
* Chicken Pinwheel
* Mac and Cheese bites
* Mini pizza Bruschetta
* Chicken/cheese croquettes

As the day came to a close, surrounded by laughter and joy, I couldn’t help but feel grateful for these enduring relationships. They remind us that in the end, it's the connections we build and nurture that truly enrich our lives.

Thank you so much for having us Naina
as always it was such a lovely event! And once again, have a great year ahead, Yaqub!đŸ„łđŸ„łđŸ„ł

Meet the yam root, your skin’s bestie and a hormonal balancing buddy*! Packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory po...
10/26/2025

Meet the yam root, your skin’s bestie and a hormonal balancing buddy*!

Packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory powers, it’s like a spa day in a tuber. These goodies can soothe your skin and help it fend off those pesky wrinkles and dryness. The yam’s starch and fiber are like a cozy blanket, wrapping your skin in moisture.

But wait, there’s more! The diosgenin in wild yam might even tone down hyperpigmentation, working wonders on pesky spots like melasma. However, before you start dancing with yam dreams for hormone-related issues, remember—while diosgenin is a handy precursor, our bodies can’t turn it into hormones like estrogen or progesterone. So, yam’s not your one-stop hormone shop, but it might just lend a hand in a lab.

*not occurring naturally.


























Bunny chow is the ultimate spicy surprise package! Imagine a loaf of bread with its insides scooped out and filled with ...
10/24/2025

Bunny chow is the ultimate spicy surprise package! Imagine a loaf of bread with its insides scooped out and filled with fiery South African curry, making it the perfect sneaky takeout meal.

This delicious invention hails from the 1940s in Durban, thanks to the Indian community, possibly whipping it up for sugar cane workers who needed a handy, portable lunch. Legend has it, they cleverly used bread as a container to keep the curry warm and travel-ready.

The name "bunny" likely nods to the Bania community, while "chow" is just South African for "grub." And here's the scoop: despite the name, there's no rabbit involved! From veggie delights like beans and potatoes to meaty marvels like mutton, chicken, and lamb, each bread bowl is a curry-filled wonderland.

Eating it is an art: tear off pieces of the bread to scoop up the curry, and devour the "virgin" bread, the part you dug out, for ultimate dipping satisfaction. Bunny chow comes in sizes ranging from "quarter" (kota) to half or full loaves, so whether you're a little peckish or ravenously hungry, there's a bunny waiting for you!

It’s always a handful of friends who stay for life and I think that is a brilliant reason to celebrate not just these in...
10/22/2025

It’s always a handful of friends who stay for life and I think that is a brilliant reason to celebrate not just these individuals but also the beautiful relationship that each shares!

When Dez reached out to us, I guess she too was in the same frame of mind😁😁😁

She wanted to express her gratitude to her friend for taking such wonderful care of them, and what better way to do that than with a delightful customized dinner?

As avid travelers, they enjoyed a global fusion menu, especially one with a hint of Indian flair. After some back-and-forth discussions, they crafted the perfect experience for their guests.

Dez, being a vegetarian, preferred a plant-based option, so they ensured the menu was inclusive of her dietary preferences.

The Menu:
[Course 1]
* Clam Chowder
* Masala Potato Chowder ( With Coconut Milk)
[Course 2]
* Tuna Tartare
* Symphony Tartare

[Course 3]
* Kp Parotta With Minced Meat, Eggs, With Flavorful Salna
* Kp Parotta With Egg

[Course 4]
* Pan-Seared Masala Duck Light Coconut Curry And Idiyappam (String Hoppers)
* Masala Lamb Chops
* Paneer Steak With Light Coconut Curry And Idiyappam

[Course 5]
* Tiramisu With Gold Dust
* Tropical Brulee

The evening was filled with laughter and warmth as they cherished the stories and flavors shared during the meal. Despite the last-minute arrangements, everything turned out beautifully. The presence of their four adorable dogs was the perfect icing on the cake!

If you thought the evening wasn’t lovely enough, these gorgeous babies somehow managed to add more joy and laughter to the evening and everyone there đŸ˜„đŸ˜„đŸ¶đŸ¶đŸ¶đŸ¶

Thank you for such a lovely evening,Dez! And once again, thank you for your kind words.

"Ashok was absolutely amazing. He catered to our last minute wishes with such ease and professionalism. He designed a fun 5 course tasting fusion menu for 4 of us within a matter of a few days. The food was phenomenal and I’m blown away by hearing about his travels and experience. Ashok also catered to my vegetarian diet while still preparing protein for everyone else. We’re excited to book with him again!”
-Dez!

Koeksisters, the South African sweet treat with a twist, literally! Named from the Dutch "koek" meaning cake, these deli...
10/20/2025

Koeksisters, the South African sweet treat with a twist, literally! Named from the Dutch "koek" meaning cake, these delightful pastries are fried, braided masterpieces that take a plunge into ice-cold syrup, creating a crunchy shell with a syrupy surprise inside. For that signature bite, the syrup should be really chilly —some say cooling the syrup overnight is best!

These tasty treats boast a blend of Dutch and Malay/Indonesian doughnut heritage, and they're a go-to for Afrikaner fundraisers.

Meanwhile, the Cape Malay cousin, the koesister, goes for a rounder look, often rolled in coconut and spiced with the likes of ginger and cardamom.

Here's the kicker: "koeksister" cheekily translates to "cake sizzler," and there's a fun legend about two sisters braiding their dough to mirror their plaited locks. Whether it's the Afrikaans or Cape Malay version, koeksisters are a crispy, syrupy shout-out to heritage and home!

10/18/2025

Yam root might just be your new best friend for tackling cholesterol and reigning in blood sugar levels, thanks to its fiber and power-packed compounds like diosgenin and dioscoretine. While animal studies are promising, more detective work is needed to crack the mystery in humans.

Turns out, yam compounds like diosgenin are like little cholesterol ninjas, potentially lowering both overall cholesterol and the villainous LDL cholesterol. Meanwhile, the elephant foot yam brings a sidekick, omega-3 fatty acids, to pump up our heroic HDL cholesterol. Plus, the fiber in yams plays bouncer, slowing fat absorption in the gut and helping to keep LDL and triglycerides in check.

And when it comes to blood sugar, yams are like the tortoise in the glycemic race, releasing sugar slowly and avoiding those pesky sugar spikes. With their fiber-rich goodness, they make sugar digestion take the scenic route.

But hey, while yams are healthy superheroes, they’re still carbohydrates. So, if you’re watching your sugar, nibble on them with care

























Every home holds a story,they say. It gets into the bones of that home, they say. And I for one believe it to be absolut...
10/16/2025

Every home holds a story,they say. It gets into the bones of that home, they say. And I for one believe it to be absolutely true.

Some homes radiate natural warmth—filled with the essence of people, joy, and contentment. We are exceptional gatherers of those delightful vibes and well-wishes😄😄😄

Three years ago, we celebrated Eric and Lindsay's father's birthday and had a fantastic time. So imagine our delight when recently, Eric, an amazing son, reached out to commemorate his mother's birthday.

Joyce is a truly lovable woman, exuding poise, grace, and elegance. It didn’t take us more than a few seconds to say that we were IN!

Unfortunately, Lindsay, the daughter, couldn't attend this time around but coincidentally, it was also Eric's daughter's birthday—Talk about a double celebration! đŸ‘đŸœ

We planned an elegant dinner for an elegant lady, finalizing a delightful menu paired with exquisite wines.

[Amuse-Bouche]
* Heirloom Tomato Tartlet
Wine Pairing: Champagne Or Brut Cava

[Appetizer]
* Fig And Prosciutto Salad
Wine Pairing: Dry Or Off-Dry Riesling Or GewĂŒrztraminer

[Seafood Course]
* Seared Scallop With Cauliflower Purée
Wine Pairing: White Burgundy (Chardonnay)

[Beef Course]
* Filet Mignon With Red Wine Jus
Wine Pairing: Cabernet Sauvignon Or Bordeaux Blend

[Dessert]
* Lavender CrÚme Brûlée
Wine Pairing: Late Harvest Viognier Or Sauternes

Joyce and her entire family adored it, continuously praising the dishes and the stories we shared.

We also had our new star, Maddie, assisting us during the event. A heartfelt thank you to Eric, Joyce, and the whole family!

After the event, even though I had a whole night of driving back home ahead of me, for once it didn’t feel tedious.

The day and the company was so great that the whole ride back was about me reflecting on the memories and the joyous vibes that this lovely occasion had bought, filling my journey with smiles!😄

Always thankful!đŸ™đŸœđŸ™đŸœđŸ™đŸœ

10/14/2025

Bobotie is a mouthwatering South African dish that blends spiced, curried minced meat with dried fruit, all crowned with a creamy egg custard. Many folks see it as a national treasure, and it has strong ties to the Cape Malay community.

What makes Bobotie stand out is its savory curried meat with a touch of sweetness from ingredients like sultanas.

The star of the show is the luxurious, milky egg custard topping, which bakes into a smooth, irresistible layer.

Bobotie's story is deeply connected to the Cape Malay community, which traces its roots back to Indonesian and Malaysian individuals brought to South Africa by the Dutch East India Company.

This dish is celebrated as one of South Africa's national dishes, showcasing the country's rich and varied culinary traditions.

Wild yam root, particularly its wilder cousin, has been the go-to sidekick for menstrual woes since way back when. Packe...
10/12/2025

Wild yam root, particularly its wilder cousin, has been the go-to sidekick for menstrual woes since way back when. Packed with diosgenin, it's been hailed as the natural hormone whisperer—though modern science is still scratching its head over those claims.

Back in the 18th and 19th centuries, herbalists adored wild yam for its chilled-out, antispasmodic vibes, using it to soothe those pesky, crampy muscles during periods. It was the herbal hero for spasmodic, colicky pains of the menstrual saga. Not to mention, it was the sidekick against PMS villains like mood swings and hormonal roller coasters. And if your tummy decided to join the drama, wild yam was ready to calm those digestive storms too.

But wait, there's more! Diosgenin isn't just a one-trick pony for menstrual mayhem—it’s also got a rep for being an all-around pain relief superstar.

























Address

St. Louis, MO

Telephone

+13142583117

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Food Raconteur posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Food Raconteur:

Shortcuts

Share