Norman Van Aken has been described as 'legendary, visionary and a trailblazer'. He is known as "the founding father of New World Cuisine," a celebration of Latin, Caribbean, Asian, African and American flavors. He is also known internationally for introducing the concept of "Fusion" to the culinary world.His next book is a memoir titled, "No Experience Necessary" and will be out November, 2013 with Taylor Trade Publishing. Anthony Bourdain, Thomas Keller, Emeril Lagasse, Jeremiah Tower, GQ's Alan Richman, Esquire's John Mariani and authors like Diana Abu-Jaber and Monique Truong have lauded the book. He is the only Floridian inducted into the prestigious James Beard list of "Who's Who in American Food and Beverage." His restaurant "NORMAN'S" was nominated as a finalist for the James Beard Foundation's "Best Restaurant in America". He has been a James Beard Foundation semi-finalist for "Best Chef in America".In 2006, he was honored as one of the "Founders of the New American Cuisine," alongside Alice Waters, Paul Prudhomme, and Mark Miller at Spain's International Summit of Gastronomy 'Madrid Fusión' event. Norman Van Aken has published five cookbooks: Feast of Sunlight 1988, The Exotic Fruit Book 1995, Norman's New World Cuisine 1997, New World Kitchen 2003 and My Key West Kitchen 2012, (with Justin Van Aken).His radio show, "A Word on Food" appears twice a week on PBS WLRN 91.3. He is the Chef and Director of "Tuyo" at The Miami Culinary Institute as well as the Chef and Co-Owner of "NORMAN'S at the Ritz-Carlton, Grande Lakes, Orlando". ~~~"Norman Van Aken is the Walt Whitman of American Cuisine" --- Charlie Trotter