Looking at a watermelon and a fistful of rhubarb, Adrienne Hernandez sees an octopus and its tentacles. Show her a bunch of pineapples and she envisions stacking them to form the trunk of a palm tree. Taro roots transform to small rats, a common carrot changes into a tropical parrot and a Meridol papaya morphs into an intricate flower.
As Adrienne reaches to grab her trusty sidekick - a simple kitchen knife - she begins to work her creative magic on the unsuspecting fruits and vegetables set before her.
|
Adrienne Hernandez surrounds herself with her edible art.
|
|
|
|
Adrienne designed this deliciously divine spread, ice sculpture and all, for a happy couple's 50th wedding anniversary.
|
"I love to play with my food," she says.
Adrienne is one of the leading talents in the art of fruit and vegetable carving in East Texas, and she's working to keep food art, as it's known, in vogue. Her unique catering business, Fresh Art by Adrienne, along with her popular restaurant, Cafe Izzy (named after her 2-year-old son), helps Adrienne shine in the community.
Creative mind
This 30-something Hallsville High School graduate has always had a flair for the creative. A self-proclaimed sore thumb, Adrienne loves to stick out in a crowd.
"I needed to put all of my creative juices into something, but I couldn't figure out what," she said. "I dabbled in everything from baking cakes to styling hair to arranging flowers, but nothing ever stuck. Not only did I not have proper training, but there was practically a bakery, hair salon or flower shop on every corner. I needed to do something a little different - I needed to be that sore thumb."
It wasn't until Adrienne was pregnant with Izzy and laying in bed flipping channels that a light bulb went off in her head. There on her TV screen was Certified Executive Chef Ray Duey of California carving up a tiny orange, sculpting it into a dainty-looking flower.
"I immediately hit the 'record' button," Adrienne said. "I knew that moment that I wanted to do this. I was up for this new, creative task. I watched the video again and again, practicing daily."
Fresh Art by Adrienne
Countless oranges and one bouncing baby boy later, Adrienne duplicated Chef Duey's design. Ever the overachiever, Adrienne was hungry for more of a challenge. She set out for California and became a student of Chef Duey's, where she earned top honors including a Food Network gold medal for her team's submission along with the title she holds today, Chef de Garde Manger.
Under Chef Duey's instruction, Adrienne learned the art of Thai fruit and vegetable carving. Historically, this art was taught and inherited by Thai women only; however, now it has become a skill widely taught in culinary institutes around the world. It adds enchantment to any table, transforming ordinary fruits and vegetables into exotic flowers, intriguing containers and entertaining table arrangements. Adrienne also feels that she owes a lot to Master Chef Pete Nolasco, whom she studied under to get her culinary certification hours.
"In my catering business, I've used all kinds of fruits and veggies to decorate and dress up tables at all kinds of events, from baby showers to wedding receptions to a fun girls' night in," Adrienne said. "I also do ice sculpting. There's no end to what I can carve and no request is too crazy. I'll take a shot at anything."
She recommends orders for elaborate carvings be made about a week ahead of time, but she said fruit and cookie bouquets, along with her gourmet popcorn that comes in more than 40 flavors (pickle, pizza, cheesecake and more) can be ready in just a day. She's happy to cater breakfast, lunch and dinner. Consider using her skills for your next event, especially during the upcoming holidays! With so much prep work that goes into a Thanksgiving or Christmas meal, why not call on Adrienne's expertise to meet all of your cooking needs?
"Catering events is fun for me because I get to let my imagination run wild with designs. There have been times that people have enjoyed just looking at my 'art' so much that they wouldn't take a bite out of it," Adrienne said. "I had to walk out of the kitchen during one wedding reception because people were looking and not eating. They'd say, 'But it's too pretty to eat.' I had to laugh and say, 'Whatever, it's just a honeydew melon!' "
As a garde manger, she works with a wide variety of foods, from making her own chocolates to preparing beef wellington or lobster medallions.
"I can cook anything. I'm a chef ... that's what I do," Adrienne said.
Cafe Izzy
When she's not filling her role as wife, mother and caterer, Adrienne is taking orders, cooking food and bussing tables at her restaurant in Liberty City on Hwy 135. Cafe Izzy opened its doors in April of this year, and it's been the local hot spot ever since.
Crowds pack in the cozy eatery for Adrienne's down-home cooking. Each day there's something different to sink your teeth into, from pork chops and hotwater cornbread to meatloaf and mashed potatoes.
"My daddy was raised on a farm in the country, and he swears by this food," one patron said as she whiffs mingled aromas of smothered steak and chicken and dumplings. "This is the place to come to satisfy an appetite for a plate full of down-home country food like your grandma made."
Patrons in polished dress shoes and muddy work boots alike flock to this modest diner where they're sure to be greeted by Adrienne's bubbly attitude and her contagious smile.
"Food, creativity and staying busy," Adrienne smiled. "These are the things I'm passionate about."
For more information, give Adrienne a call at Cafe Izzy at 903.983.4800, or you can reach her at 903.983.3626.
