Tag Team Interview: Dianne De Las Casas and Eliana De Las Casas (2 of 2)

Taking off from yesterday's post where Dianne De Las Casas talked about her new book and her being a mom to Eliana De Las Casas, here now is Eliana's interview. She shares with us her beginnings as a young chef and a successful author; her cooking inspirations being Filipino, Cajun, Honduran and Cuban; and her new cookbook, Cool Kids Cook: Fresh & Fit. 

Go to Kid Chef Eliana's webistemore news about her shinning career as chef and author. 

a. When did you discover your love for cooking and "fine" dining?

I started cooking when I was 4 years old. I really started to get serious in cooking at 8 years old. I started a food blog and created cooking tutorials for kids. On my blog, I talked about all of the restaurants I dined at and places I traveled to.

b. What are your influences in cooking and food preparation?

My family heritage influences my cooking because I'm Filipino, Cajun, Honduran, and Cuban. I'm also influenced by cooking shows, cooking magazines, and cookbooks. Usually, I like to cook whatever I'm in the mood for, whether it's Asian, Italian, Latin, Cajun, etc. I also like to cook foods that use fresh ingredients that are in-season. 

Eliana with her sister Soleil and her "lola" Josie

c. What is the most difficult/challenging dish you've prepared or cooked so far?

My most difficult dish that I've cooked would have to be soufflé. I made it not long ago it uses humble ingredients like the egg. You're probably thinking it couldn't be that hard if the ingredients are simple. It's the folding in of the ingredients and the baking the soufflé that's complicated. It's all about technique. You can't overwork the merengue yet you want to mix it pretty well. And, you have to make sure the soufflé rises in the oven and doesn't fall when you take it out. If you are successful, you are considered an amazing chef. It's every chef's dream to create a perfect soufflé. Obviously, mine fell but, I'll try again. Still, it tasted delicious. 

d. How do you balance school, writing and your endeavors as a chef? Any tips you wish to share to young aspiring chefs out there?

I always put school first. I work hard and get straight A's. After school, I do my homework and then cook dinner. I'm constantly writing new recipes every week. A lot of those recipes end up in my cookbooks. Many times, on the weekends, I have book events and cooking demos.

For young aspiring chefs, I think they should follow their dreams. Never stop doing what you love. You also need to believe on yourself. If you can dream it, then you can achieve it.

e. If I were to visit you in Harvey, New Orleans, what dish or menu would you prepare for me?

If you were to visit me, I would probably cook you a little bit of everything. I would serve a little Filipino, Cajun, Honduran, and Cuban. I'm really great at jambalaya and corn and crab bisque. I might just make some homemade ice cream, too! Mmmm!

f. You have a book, a radio show, and guested on TV shows at the ripe old age of 13, so what is the next step for Kid Chef Eliana?

I actually have three cookbooks now. My third cookbook, Cool Kids Cook: Fresh & Fit, just came out. I would like to have a line of spices. I've already created 4 different seasoning blends. I want to create a line of cookware and chef wear for kids. The cookware would be smaller, lighter, and have cool colors and designs. It would be easy for kids to handle. The cookware would also be labeled with the name of the pot, pan, etc. Plus, I would like to have a TV show. I am already pitching a TV show, working with a Hollywood production company.

Tag Team Interview: Dianne De Las Casas & Eliana De Las Casas (1 of 2)

For this month's author interview, the blog is honored to have international storyteller and author Dianne De Las Casas and Kid Chef Eliana De Las Casas. Regular readers of the blog know who Dianne De Las Casas is as I have featured her in the blog several times over. To know more about her, visit her website and you'll discover her many talents. Apart from being a storyteller, author and literacy advocate, Dianne is one great mom. Over the past years, she has been supporting Eliana's career as young chef and author. 

In this interview, she shares her wonderful experience as coach, talent builder and adviser to her daughter Eliana. Dianne has a new picture book, Cinderellaphant, and she talks about it briefly in this interview. 

a. When did you see or learn of Eliana's potential as a chef?

Eliana began cooking when she was 4 years old. She always loved being in the kitchen, stirring and mixing things up when she was little girl. Every Christmas and birthday, she would ask for tools related to the kitchen. When she was a result, I suggested that she start a food blog. Since then, her skill and professionalism has grown immensely.

b. How did you develop and encourage that potential? 

I supported Eliana by encouraging her to start a food blog. As a family, we all talked her different kitchen skills. I'm more of the gourmet; Eliana's dad specializes in pizza, bread, and ice cream; her Filipina nana does comfort food; her Cajun pawpaw excels at outdoor cooking; her abuela and her older sister, Soleil, love to bake; her uncle Gary taught her how to fish and crab; and her aunt Pam gardens and raises chickens. All of these influences have helped shape and Eliana into the chef she is becoming.

c. What road blocks did you, Eliana and your family encounter along the way as Eliana pushes and accomplishes her dreams? How did you, individually and collectively as a family, overcome these road blocks?

As you know, I have my own career as a children's book author. Balancing both Eliana's rising star and sustaining my career has been quite a challenge. Fortunately, we can do events together and balance the schedule that way.

d. How does being a successful author contribute to being a "mom" to Eliana?

My experience as an author has definitely helped me guide her in her own book and cooking career. It makes it easier for me to relate to her when it comes to her writing recipes, blogging, and writing her cookbooks. We often brainstorm together and plan her career together.

e. What do you love doing together apart from cooking and writing books, of course?

We love going to the movies and shopping. We both enjoy throwing parties, playing board games, and reading the same books, so that we can discuss them together. In addition, our favorite activity that we love to do together is traveling! Eliana and I derive so much inspiration from our travels for my books as well as her recipes.

f. Any new books, storytelling gigs and projects to promote? Please give a message to your fans in the Philippines. I know they miss you and are awaiting your next visit.

My newest picture book is Cinderellaphant. It's a remix of the "classic furry tail" with a pachyderm princess, a fairy godmouse, two step hippos, and a royal roan looking for his "sole mate." 

I have another book with Libraries Unlimited called Handmade Tales 2: More Stories to Make and Take with draw and tell, fold and tell, string stories, and more. It continues the tradition started in my very popular book, Handmade Tales: Stories to Make and Take.

I miss all of the teachers in the Philippines and keep in touch with many of them through social media and email. Thank you so much for the work that you do, and for continuing to use my books and the information from my workshops in your teachings. Mahal kita!

I would love to return to the Philippines and bring Kid Chef Eliana with me! Now that would be a great story!

Eliana's interview will appear in the blog tomorrow.