Interview with Carmen Rawstron, Chef and Author, Venezuelan Cuisine

What do you do and how did you get into the industry? 

I am a food writer, food consultant and educational caterer. 

I was in London nine years ago when I started compiling all the family and friends recipes in a little booklet. Then I thought, why not place these recipes all together into a nice collection and… so the first recipe book, entitled My Venezuelan Cuisine, came out in 2010. 

Everything happened gradually. From the moment I arrived in Malaysia, I was involved with the Latin American Community in Kuala Lumpur and the Latin American Diplomatic Missions. I also earned my formal chef qualifications here and have represented my country in the 5th and 6th Venezuelan Weeks in Malaysia, offering the public a selection of traditional dishes from my home country.

Share with us an interesting story from behind the scenes.

I think behind the apron there is always a mother, a wife and a friend and the story goes over and over again. It is a never ending story and I love that. 

What’s your personal favourite Venezuelan food?

I love soups. They really boost you up. My favourite is Sancocho de Gallina (chicken soup).

Do you remember the moment when you first really appreciated a dish?

I was 12 years old and living in Rome when I met my good friend from Milan. Her mum used to prepare a brodino di bovino e stracciatella. It is basically a chuck tender stock with a broken chicken egg. With the heat the egg coagulates and the moment you eat it, it basically melts in your mouth. Of course you must add Parmiggiano Reggiano.  

Tell us a story about one of the dishes from your recipe book.

The Mojo Picante I think is a recipe that deserves more than I can tell you. It’s a dip used in many Venezuelan snack dishes. Every family in the Llanos, the plains of Venezuela, makes their own version. It was 1974 when I went to Hato la Uriosa in Guárico State, a cattle farm that is full of history and a diverse unique environment for wildlife. 

In those times, I had the opportunity to see the sweet chilli and vegetable gardens at the back of the beautiful colonial style main house, the casa grande. For the first time I observed my father making mojo de aji dulce y picante. Sweet and hot chilli dip. My dad only prepared it with the chillis, coriander, spring onion spices and olive oil. In my version I added in the sour cream and the lemon. 

What’s one of the craziest things you’ve seen as a chef?

Ants. Yes ants. Well I love to see them and to count all the things they can carry to the nest. 

Just two years ago, I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. I was devastated. One day I was at home in my kitchen when I saw this line of ants carrying many things. From, dead insects to the tail of a gecko and some breadcrumbs. They never stopped going. Then I said to myself, “You cannot stop, just keep going. Just like the ants you love to count.” That was crazy! Counting ants…  

Your perfect day would be… 

Laying down on the grass and looking up at the blue skies. Here off course I cannot do that, the ants will take me to their nest.