Cairo Dwek left behind her life as a model in Los Angeles to pursue her aspiration of becoming a fine artist.
Tony Custer: Flavors of Charity
March 20, 2013 7:33 PM
Although Tony Custer has received no formal culinary training, the cook, author, and editor says, “A year stage working in Paris, between college and business school, opened my eyes to the wonders of the kitchen.” It is that love of gastronomy, paired with a deep sense of philanthropy, that led him to publish his new cookbook, The Art of Peruvian Cuisine, Volume II.
The tome comes a decade after the premier volume, which has raised more than $1.25 million for Aprendamos Juntos, a program Custer founded in 1998 to serve learning-disabled children in the poorest schools of Peru’s capital.
“One of my brothers struggled through school with severe dyslexia and dyscalculia,” he says, explaining his ties to the cause. “I was struck by how, having everything else he needed, the lack of appropriate therapeutic knowledge kept him from being properly helped. Years later I was even more stunned to see how difficult it was for children in Lima’s shantytowns to get the care that existed but could not reach them.”
Following the success of Custer’s first cookbook, Aprendamos Juntos has grown from three small centers helping 143 children to 11 centers providing 2,000-plus students, 800 parents, and almost 60 elementary school teachers with remedial assistance. The program also works with the Youth Orchestra of the Americas to encourage Peruvian youth to explore their musical talents.
Custer hopes the second installment of his cookbook not only continues to aid the foundation but also “carries the torch” in his mission to take the flavors of Peru abroad.
“Peruvian cuisine is the Americas’ oldest and probably most multifaceted fusion,” he says, describing how it blends flavors, ingredients, and cooking methods from the Incas and Moors and countries including Spain, France, Africa, China, and Japan. As such, the new book encompasses everything from pisco cocktails to ceviches, sushi, and tamales, using a wide array of techniques: macerating; stir-frying; cooking in earthenware pots, wood ovens, and the ground; serving foods raw.
Chefs and home cooks alike can expect some surprises from the book, Custer says, such as discovering the huge range of flavors in Peruvian potatoes and learning how to cook flavorful ajies, or chiles, to the point that “only the taste and bouquet are left—no tongue-burning at all.”
While the first cookbook features several dishes Custer remembers from parties and gatherings of his childhood, made by his mother’s longtime cook, he collaborated with nearly two dozen chefs to compile the recipes of the second. “It was a wonderful sleigh ride though our cuisine, as seen through more than 20 sets of knowledgeable eyes,” Custer says. “The best part was that each chef is a serious student of Peruvian cuisine in her or his own right—a fact that afforded me hours of fascinating history.”
To learn more or to donate please visit: www.fundacioncuster.org
By Laurel Leicht
related posts
Pointillism revived: Rising artist Cairo Dwek connects the dots
Christopher Russell Interview: Beneath the essence of clay
Christopher Russell spent his youth in a small town outside Boston, Massachusetts. According to his kindergarten report card, he had an “unusual talent for art”.
ALL WHITE Summer SOIRÉE Party
ALL WHITE Summer SOIRÉE Party was held on June 25, 2022 and the night started out with the beautifully dressed guests.
American Ballet Theater Summer Gala
Spring/Summer of 2022 has seen a rushing return of events, dressing up, and the social calendar.
Elizaveta Litovka ‘Flowierdy’ footwear sculptures Interview
Naïve Beauty: Flowierdy
Support people in Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s said in a tweet on February 24 that “Now, more than ever, we need concrete support.”
SHIOTA CHIHARU EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
TWELV interviewed performance and installation artist Chiharu Shiota and discussed her personal and professional life, as well as her inspiration and what plans she has for the future. The COVID-...
OLAF BREUNING Interview
OLAF BREUNING Interview is now available!
QUERIES OF A QUIRKY MIND
...
RYAN MCGINLEY EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
Standing before the images created by Ryan McGinley, one becomes entranced by the irresistible visions of freedom and joyous irreverence.
YAYOI KUSAMA INTERVIEW "AN OUTSIDER TO INFINITY"
In Yayoi Kusama’s world, everything is a polka dot — the cosmos, the earth, the world, stars, the moon, and people.
Body Beautiful Exhibit Opening November 21st
“BODY BEAUTIFUL”
A Group Show Curated by Indira Cesarine
OPENING RECEPTION: November 21, 2019
INTERVIEW: GRACIE ELLISON PORTLAND BASED ARTIST
Gracie Ellison is a self-taught Portland based artist who focuses on canvassing portraits of grumpy and solemn faced women with use of patterns, textures and colour. She was drawn towards canvas...
MAURIZIO CATTELAN INTERVIEW "MAD SCIENTIST"
MAD SCIENTIST by MIGUEL FIGUEROA
WOLFORD LEADS THE SUSTAINABLE FASHION REVOLUTION WITH DUAL CRADLE TO CRADLE CERTIFICATION
Making History With The Aurora Collection
"GREETINGS FROM SWEDEN" BY RUVAN
Ruvan Wijesooriya is a self-taught American Photographer, who began by starting a skateboard brand before moving to working with clients such as Vogue, Samsung and many in the nightlife...
INTERVIEW: Adriana Wynne French-American multidisciplinary artist
French-American multi-disciplinary artist studying a BFA degree at Parsons school of Design in Fine Arts and acquiring a minor in Museum and Curatorial Studies.
ZIP III Opening March 9th
Like it or hate it, we live in a fully connected digital world these days.
INTERVIEW: FAHREN FEINGOLD CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN ART
The name of contemporary American artist Fahren Feingold has become synonymous with fluid, feminine watercolours in her...
Interview: Lisa Ann Markuson on Modernizing Haiku
The minimalism of Haiku poetry– it’s English form dictated simply by the syllabic pattern 5-7-5– allows this traditional Japanese verse to span languages, cultures and ages.
Interview: Rebecca Leveille's Solo Exhibit "The End of Love"
Certain artists have captured the zeitgeist of a particular time and place in such a powerful way that history will forever be represented through their images.
Oussamah Ghandour’s Journey from Ad-Man to Painter
Do you remember that episode of Mad Men when Don Draper decides to quit the ad business and follow his true calling as a painter?
Jörgen Axelvall's "KÄR / LEK" Photo Exhibit in Tokyo
For Jörgen Axelvall, photography is a language.
Interview: Illustrator Roby Dwi Antono on his Startling Surrealist Imagery
In a single painting, Indonesian artist Roby Dwi Antono combines a breastfeeding lamb, a kiwi bird, power ranger, crocodile, and a child.
Interview: Bettina Werner's Pioneering Use of Salt in Art
Being an artist isn’t just a matter of creating paintings or sculptures in a particular medium, it’s about making your mark on history.
"One Year of Resistance" Recalls an Unsettling Year Under President Trump
During President Trump’s inauguration week, curator Indira Cesarine hosted a group art exhibition entitled Uprise / Angry Women in response to the election.
Artist-Activist Francesca Galliani Brings Her Messages of Empowerment to Fashion
Modern day social activism can be found and utilized everywhere from social media to organized protests.
ARTIST MISHA KAHN'S ANTI-RIGHT-ANGLE EXHIBITION "MIDDEN HEAP" ON DISPLAY AT FRIEDMAN BENDA
Artist Misha Kahn lives in a world free of right angles.
Interview: Lin Dai, CEO of Hooch, the Game-changer Drinking App
Hooch is here just in time for the holidays! The Hooch app is the first-of-its-kind, subscription-based drinking app, offering customers 30 free drinks a month for just 10 dollars.
Chrome Hearts Miami Transformed into Candy Shop and Gallery for Art Basel
Chrome Hearts is celebrating Art Basel at their Miami retail space with a pop-up confectionary and café, alongside the launch of group exhibition in their second floor gallery. The...
Indira Cesarine's "Only You" Art Series Visualizes Emotions after Betrayal
New-York based artist Indira Cesarine premiered the video format of her art series “Only You” at Art Basel Miami in 2010...
Chappy's "Dress the D" Halloween Campaign Promoting Safe Sex
The new-on-the-scene dating app Chappy has gained recognition for its mission and success in producing more meaningful...
Ashley Judd & Gloria Steinem Address Human Trafficking at Apne Aap Benefit
The award-winning actress Ashley Judd, luminous in a bisque maxi-dress, was feted at a Manhattan soiree on Thursday night.
Yayoi Kusama to Open Namesake Museum in Tokyo
On your mark, get set, go! Yayoi Kusama enthusiasts will be delighted to know that tickets to the venerated Japanese artist’s namesake museum go on sale August 28.
Just Cavalli Restaurant & Club Opening in Porto Cervo
From the brand that fully embraces the bold and vibrant Dolce Vita lifestyle, now comes the ultimate nightlife experience. On July 14th, the...
The witty pop art of Alessio Franceschetto
Minimal, quirky and straight to the point, all uniquely describe the work of artist Alessio Franceschetto, a superhero of graphic art.