Trends 2014: Benny Diaz, the chef and the sea

Chef Benny Diaz: The Creator of “Chef on Waters”.

Location: Chef on Waters.

By Lissette Rondon.

Coming from…Trends 2014: “The Melting Pot” Effect.

Miami’s own chef Benny Diaz has combined his two passions in one successful business “Chef on Waters.”
From Cuban-Salvadorian parents, at the age of eight Diaz began to discover his passion for fishing through his family vacations in the Keys. “From the time I put my first bait on the hook until the first fish was landed, my heart was racing with excitement,” added Diaz.

Diaz’s skills for cooking appeared years later, renewing this passion in 2009 when he was invited as a contestant by “Sabrosa Passion,” a popular Spanish TV cooking show, winning with his consistency and creativity. “I always thought that cooking was just a hobby, like fishing, but during this competition I realized how confident I was as a chef, moving forward in my decision to create my own business,” said Diaz.

Today, “Chef on Waters” is a growing business offering the experience of being on a private boat with Chef Benny as a private chef, performing an exquisite-fresh menu (his own catch of the day), while guests enjoy a tour of Miami’s waters with the most amazing views.

Chef Benny Diaz.

Image by Humberto Vidal.

Stylist: Armandeus Salon.

Location: Chef on Waters

MFS- In this “Melting Pot” that is Miami will any culture influence your food business for 2014?

“Yes, I like to read about Chefs around the world so I can learn different techniques and new creations, but my favorite readings happen to be “Great British Chefs.” I am fascinated with the recipes and chefs featured on this webpage. My favorite Chef is Nigel Mendham; I like his deftly classical cuisine. I identified myself with him in so many ways; I love to create modern Mediterranean dishes with a little touch of British ingredients—adding my own Cuban Sazon, of course!” said Diaz.

MFS- Is there any exclusive menu or dish that you will name after your favorite chef?

“Yes, I will be serving a new kind of dessert, “Sweet & Salty.” It will consist of a classic dessert, followed by different kinds of cheeses! added Diaz. “I read about this in a Q&A of Chef Mendham. I tried my own recipe with my family and they loved it. I believe that “Miamians” will enjoy this combination in our new menu “Chef on Waters” for 2014.”

MFS-What would be the strongest trends in food in 2014?

“It’s hard for me to follow trends because Miami is a city that doesn’t follow any– which is good because you can stick to what you’re good at,” added Diaz.

MFS- Outside the food trends, could you make any prediction for 2014?

“Yes, That Miami will enjoy its waters a lot in 2014!” added Diaz, smiling.

More information about “Chef on Waters” and contacts: chef.benny@yahoo.com

Special thanks to:

Photographer: Humberto Vidal

Make-up artist & hair of Armandeus Salon

Location: Chef on Waters.

Lissette Rondon

Lissette Rondón begin her career as a model in Venezuela when she was nineteen. Fashion was always her passion leading her to become a TV & Radio Producer and owning her show & fashion TV magazine: “Opening”. This successful show changed her life, making her want to explore outside her country. In 2004, She moved to Miami pursuing the American dream where she launched her own swimsuit line and producing her own fashion shows & also working with a few segments at the Hispanic & popular TV show “Sabado Gigante” -- starting a life here in our city. After the crashing of the economy in 2009 and for a woman that never gives up, she decided to write articles about fashion for Examiner.com (national online magazine) becoming a Miami Celebrity Fashion Examiner. Her articles starting to be on Google news gaining recognition between Miami’s top designers. Some of them were later represented by her in Public Relations. In 2011, she started her own business Miami Fashion Spotlight.Org not as a personal fashion blog but a fashion media, showcasing all that happens in the fashion business with exclusive interviews with national celebrities and luminaries of fashion, in addition to Grammy Award singers, Miami’s top designers, supermodels, as well as significant coverage of the best events, making Lissette Rondon a celebrated fashion influencer in the Magic City. Miami Fashion Spotlight has become the most important accomplished in her goals leading this business woman to win two awards such as “Publicist of year 2013” and “Fashion Influencer of the Year 2016" by Women in the Arts Miami. “Miami Fashion Spotlight.Org” was also awarded as "Best "Blog of the Year 2016 by Women in the Arts Miami." In 2018 Miami Fashion Spotlight was awarded by Feedspot as "Top 15 Florida Blog and in 2019 was awarded among the "13 Top Florida Fashion Blogs" by Expertido. Today, her creation Miamifashionspotlight.org is publishing every week articles in English and Spanish and is composed by an amazing team of photographers and make-up artists along with her as a President and her husband as CEO and many collaborators in Miami—what she called her blessing! Contact her at lr@miamifashionspotlight.org