Chef Paula DaSilva: Class is in Session at Aventura Mall

You might know her as the executive chef at 1500 Degrees, the farm-to-table steakhouse at the Eden Roc Renaissance, but you'll definitely recognize her from her stint on Hell's Kitchen with Gordon Ramsay -- she almost won season 5, but came in a close second.Either way, you have the chance...

By Ily Goyanes

January 14, 2011

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You might know her as the executive chef at 1500 Degrees, the farm-to-table steakhouse at the Eden Roc Renaissance, but you'll definitely recognize her from her stint on Hell's Kitchen with Gordon Ramsay -- she almost won season 5, but came in a close second.

Either way, you have the chance to get schooled (for free) by Chef Paula DaSilva Saturday when she conducts a cooking demonstration and tasting at 1 p.m. at the Bloomingdale's in Aventura Mall.The event is part of the Food Network South Beach Wine and Food Festival, which already has foodies salivating in expectation.

Follow the jump for some words from the wise Miss DaSilva from an interview with NBCMiami.com:

Five ingredients every kitchen should have?

Salt, a great extra virgin olive oil, fresh bay leaves, chives and passion.

Best cooking advice you ever received?

Taste, taste, taste.

Favorite food memory?

My mom's home cooked meals. She would make a buffet of foods during the holidays for all of us.

The one dish you could eat for the rest of your life?

Rice, beans and chicken... with cholula.

Weirdest thing you do in the kitchen?

I'm a little OCD when it comes to having the tickets hanging up on the ticket rack during service. I have a specific order and way everyone has to do it - and if they don't, it drives me crazy!

For more info call Loretta Russomanno at 305-792-1288.

Bloomingdale's Aventura (The Home Store on the 3rd floor)
19501 Biscayne Blvd., Aventura

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