New Times' Best of Miami 2013 issue arrives June 13. To celebrate, Short Order is serving up the top 30 tastemakers in the 305. These people have helped shape the Miami food scene into what it is today. We began with number 30 and will lead up to the county's number one. A Q&A session is included in each post.
Stick your nose into a pile of pre-ground punjabi garam masala -- you know, the kind you buy online or in grocery stores. Next, take a whiff of Spice Galore's ground-to-order spice mix. Inhale the pungent aromas of the South Miami shop's za'tar or madras curry.
The difference is striking.
Spice Galore's owners, Victoria Nodarse and Aimee Ortega, provided Miami with a well-stocked source for all things spicy. The specialty shop sells sugars, salts, teas, spices, herbs, chilies, honey, chocolates, and -- yes, there's more -- ingredients for molecular gastronomy. What was previously found online can now be found in their store.
Nodarse and Ortega are Tastemakers because, before they came around, the scent in our mass-mixed madras curries was, well, kind of lame.
Victoria Nodarse
The most influential person in my career has been:
My grandmother; she taught me the true value of an education and hard work.
When we're alone and in need of comfort (and no one is there to watch or judge), the one food or drink we turn to is:
Ham and cream cheese rolls with a glass of chocolate milk.
What does Miami need more of?
Public transportation.
You get to vote one food or beverage trend off the island forever -- what is it?
Overpriced "re-created" everyday food like mac and cheese.
You have unlimited funds to open a restaurant or bar -- what's the name, and what do you serve?
Vi.No. Locally sourced, beautifully handcrafted simple, clean food.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Wherever the wind takes me...
Dream dinner party for six: Who (living or dead) are you inviting?
Billie Holiday, Julia Child, Frida Kahlo, Oskar Schindler, Jane Goodall, Thich Nhat Hanh.
Aimee Ortega
When I am alone and in need of comfort (and no one is there to watch or judge), the one food or drink I turn to is:
Cheese and coke.
What does Miami need more of?
A good permanent farmers' market.
You get to vote one food or beverage trend off the island forever -- what is it?
Coke floats.
You have unlimited funds to open a restaurant or bar -- what's the name, and what do you serve?
Name: WIA, The food I will serve: rustic, clean, local ingredients. (It will be a very small restaurant.)
Where do you see yourself in five years?
With a very successful business, three kids (have two already), and traveling the world learning about cultures and spices.
Dream dinner party for six: Who (living or dead) are you inviting?
Dalai Lama, Gerard Depardieu, Pablo Neruda, my parents (both alive), my husband (Javier Garcia).
2013 Tastemakers
26. Todd Erickson of Haven Gastro-Lounge
25. Keith Kalmanowicz of Earth N' Us Farm
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