January 2010 Archives

On the northern end of New York's Avenue of the Americas, as you enter Central Park, you'll be greeted by a Cuban on horseback.  A towering equestrian statue pays tribute to the  "George Washington of Cuba" (as he's been called) and one of Latin America's greatest writers.  Dedicated in 1965, it's become a piece of Cuban history.

Born in 1853 to poor Havana immigrants, Jose Marti helped lead the fight for Cuban independence from Spain.  Like John Adams or Patrick Henry, Marti was a patrot - burning to break the shackles of colonialism.  His uncompromising opposition to Spanish rule led to arrest and exile from the island at age 17.  With passionate eloquence, the "Apostle of Freedom" inspired a generation of Cubans to to fight for independence.  And sadly, his unwavering courage eventually cost Marti his life on a Cuban battlefield in 1894.        

As much as he loved his country, traqgically. Marti spent most of his adult life in exile.  A talented writer and journalist, he spent years in New York as a foreign correspondent for South American newspapers. 

And he marveled at the Democratic freedoms of America.  "'I am, at last, in a country where everyone looks like his own master," he wrote for the newspaper, The Hour.  "One can breathe freely, freedom being here the foundation, the shield, the essence of life'".

Marti also admired the work ethic he saw in American society.  He wrote about his respect for this great nation of immigrants, with its' remarkable constitution and freedom of expression.  And Marti urged Latin America to adopt the same values. 

But like any great journalist, Marti called a spade a spade.  He criticized the excesses of capitalism, spending time in New York's ethnic slums.  The plight of the poor moved Marti, and made him yearn to help the less fortunate.    

This week, Cubans everywhere celebrate the birthday of this great man.  If you want to read more, we have a special story dedicated to Jose Marti in the "Cuban Culture" section of my Old Havana Foods Blog.  Learn more about this remarkable individual who loved freedom - a passion that's memorialized in New York's Central Park. 

It's the 100th birthday of a Chicago great - the one-and-only Eli Schulman.  In case you don't know the story, for decades, Schulman's Gold Coast steakhouse was THE place to see celebrities.  From Frank Sinatra to Sammy Davis Jr., Barbara Streisand and famous athletes, like hall-of-famer Gayle Sayers, "Eli's - The Place for Steaks" was a Windy City legend. 

You can read the fascinating story of how Eli started with his small deli, slowly building a steak and cheescake empire that's become a Chicago institution.  Just go to the Eli's Cheesecake Chicago website to see all the history.         

His son, Marc Schulman, went on to create Eli's Cheesecake & the Eli's Cheescake World on Forest Preserve Drive.  At a time when factories are closing down and moving overseas, Marc employes hundreds of Chicagoans.  And he does great work in the community through Wright College and other city community colleges and Chicago Public  high schools, to train and mentor young Chicagoans to work in the food industry.

He's been a great support and resource for small entrepreneur's like me, with my fledgling family business, Old Havana Foods.  Marc's always there to give a word of advice or make a crucial connection.  And I'm so grateful for his help.   

So on the day when Marc celebrate's the 100th birthday of his late father, I salute the Schulman family and the great Eli Schulman - a Chicago original!     

Grapes and the first day of January go hand in-hand, when you're talking about an authentic Cuban New Year celebration.  It's a centuries-old tradition believed to bring good luck.  Typically, party goers eat twelve grapes - one for each month of the new year - to bring good fortune.    

At the Crews household, we've got a truckload of grapes and plenty of delicious Cuban food on the menu.  We're marking the one-year anniversary of my fledgling specialty-food company, Old Havana Foods.  Thanks again to everyone for your words of support and unwavering encouragement. 

As you might expect, our main course is tantanlizing roast pork (scroll down on this page to see my family's authentic Cuban recipe in the Julian Crews: Bean Quest archive).  We're also serving up savory Cuban black beans & rice  (and lots o' grapes for dessert).    

Another Old Havana tradition involves water.  When the clock strikes 12 midnight, Cubanos throw a bucket of water out the front door.  The ritual symbolizes a fresh start.  Out with the old and stale!  In with the new!  

Of course, with last night's sub-zero windchill in Chicago, my front porch is awfully slippery this morning.  The water 's frozen solid!  And so are my grapes!

Have a happy new year everybody.  Best wishes for a "grape" 2010!"