Discover the Flavors and Stories behind the Apron with CHEF AF
Fireman Derek’s Bake Shop and Caster Azucar
Are you passionate about food, cooking, and the inspiring stories behind some of your favorite dishes? Look no further than the Chef AF podcast! Each week, we dig deep into the lives and kitchens of some of the world's most exciting chefs and food entrepreneurs. In this "Best of Chef AF" post, we'll revisit two of our most insightful interviews. You'll discover the path to culinary greatness for a former fireman turned bake shop owner and an untrained cook who views food as an adventure.
Derek Kaplan, Baking the World a Better Place at Fireman Derek’s Bake Shop
In a particularly appetizing episode of Chef AF, we journeyed to Miami to visit with Derek Kaplan, owner of Fireman Derek's Bake Shop. Kaplan, who hung up his helmet to don a chef's hat, reveals his transition from football player and City of Miami fireman to renowned baker.
Starting with a simple key lime pie recipe, Kaplan's love for baking grew into an obsession that would eventually become the beloved Fireman Derek’s Bake Shop. From selling pies in a cup with a vision to "revolutionize the way people ate pies," to establishing his first Bake Shop nestled between a dance club and a barbershop in Wynwood, Kaplan's tale is as flavorful as his bakes.
Curious about Kaplan's recipe for success? Treat your taste buds to his unique White Chocolate Guava Cookies, a decadent invention you can find exclusively at his Bake Shop.
Dive deeper into Derek's story, uncover his plans for Fireman Derek’s Bake Shop's future, and get valuable advice for aspiring food entrepreneurs in this Chef AF episode aptly titled “It’s All Food”.
Get Derek’s White Chocolate Guava Cookies
Greg Pryor, Stirring up Adventure as Caster Azucar
Our second journey takes us down a different culinary path with Greg Pryor, also known as Caster Azucar. In this Chef AF episode, we explore how Pryor, an untrained cook, uses social media to share his passion for creating mouth-watering dishes.
Inspired by the sensational food experiences at restaurants in New Zealand, including a particularly memorable meal at Michael Meredith’s restaurant, Pryor encourages his followers to appreciate the adventure that is food. Whether cooking at home or dining out, Pryor believes that every dish can be an exploration of flavor.
Discover Pryor's warming Burnt Butter, Pistachio, and Potato Soup recipe. A dish that encapsulates hearty, fall-like flavors and is optionally topped with grilled salmon, this soup reflects Pryor's knack for layering flavors and textures in simple dishes.
Join us in this episode of Chef AF to learn more about Pryor's culinary philosophies, including his take on following recipes, using sous vide, and his views on the food industry in “It’s All Food”.
Get Greg’s Burnt Butter, Pistachio and Potato Recipe
Get ready to stoke your culinary curiosity and tune in to these episodes and more on the Chef AF podcast. If you're interested in food stories that go beyond the recipe, these interviews are a must-listen.
The Chef AF Rating System has launched and is tracking the best food artisans worldwide based on consumer sentiment. Curtis Duffy, April Bloomfield, Michael Schwartz and Vinny Dotolo are just a few of the chefs we’ve featured.
