Untraditional Caprese Salad by Chef Benard Orora, H&S Chef Of The Month
H&S Chef Of The Month
Chef Benard Orora
Nationality: Kenyan
Interview With H&S Magazine
Who Is Benard Orora?
I established my passion for food as a child, eating and experiencing restaurant food, as well as home cooked foods by Mum and Grand mum, I got a kick out of recreating it for my family in the home kitchen. Food was definitely my future. I studied in the best locations to excel in my career from Kenya to Switzerland, experiences through Europe and then Australia I mastered in Culinary and Pâtisserie cuisines. I have created a home base in Sydney to which I spent 4 years during my studies, working for different high-end restaurants and hotel chains; this gave me a view of different styles within the area and what to incorporate in my own business.
From all my experience I implemented my dream and I now run my own Private Chef service to which I attend clients homes and complete a bespoke menu to cater anything from a small intimate dinner for 2, right up to events that service in the hundreds.
Proudly Kenyan born, Benard Orora, I am Chef Ben, a Private Chef who wishes to have the world experience my creations 🙂
Type Of Cuisine?
Fusion Cuisine. I like the ability of taking different cuisines and infusing them into one combined menu, giving a client the tastes of the world. I would say my most desired and well complimented fusion would be African and Italian.
What Inspired You To Become A Chef?
As cliché as it might sound, the hit TV series Master Chef Australia, inspired me to become a professional Chef. From a very young age, probably 10–12 years, I just had a love for food, my family acknowledged my passion, they pushed and supported me in the kitchen to be creative – I knew food was a good hobby, but watching Master Chef was where I saw – cooking could be so much more. I got excited at the thought, that I could create and serve my creations to everyone, not just family and that’s where the determination, along with travel began to become what I hope one day to be – A MASTER CHEF.
What Is The Biggest Challenge You Have Faced In The Culinary Industry?
The usual answer in today’s world – COVID!! This really impacted the hospitality industry (As all industries), even now it is difficult to find staff – and experience is so limited.
Australia locked its doors and we were unable to work, we were not allowed to go into other people’s homes. It was challenging.
However, I can happily say, it further developed the business and incorporated “Chef on the go” – we (my partner and I) utilized ideas for families to have the chef experience as a takeaway, we delivered full menus to families, we created picnics for the home, and grazing boards for all occasions. The challenge that I thought would send me back to start again – extended what I could achieve and forced me to look & think outside the box. This challenge increased my opportunities and has found repeat clientele not only for ‘On the go’ but seeking ‘the Chef Ben Experience’ as a Private Chef now that the doors are back open 🙂
What’s Your Biggest Achievement In The Culinary Industry?
My education has always been a highlight for me – completing my Diploma, Bachelor & Masters in Culinary, followed by my degree in Pâtisserie, plus Molecular Gastronomy and finally my Masters in International Hospitality, Business Management.
When It comes To Cooking, What Is More Important To You, The Technique, The Ingredients Or The Creativity?
Hands down, ‘Technique’. I am always amazed to see how people with the same ingredients create different, unique and delicious creations; this is only possible by technique. Everything from understanding your ingredients, knowing the creativity behind what to do and most importantly performing the technique to achieve your outcome, makes a good dish stand out. ‘Technique’ becomes a competitive advantage for individuals and companies, as it helps challenge the status-quo and current processes to find new and exciting ways of doing things.
Recipe Of The Week: Untraditional Caprese Salad
Servings: 3, Time: 25 Mins
The Grilled Prawns
Ingredients:
• 9 fresh prawns
• 3 wooden skewers
• Lemon zest
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh mint leaves
• Olive oil
• Black pepper to taste
The Salad Mix
Ingredients:
• ½ cup picked basil & mint
• 2 punnets of cherry tomatoes (1 punnet cut into halves)
• 4 cups of balled honey dew melon
• ¼ wedge watermelon, brunoised
• Juice of 1 lemon
• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsp honey
• 3 balls fresh burrata cheese
• 6 slices prosciutto
• 1 tbsp white balsamic vinegar
• Salt & pepper to taste
• 1 tbsp pine nuts, roasted
Preparation: The Grilled Prawns
Skewer 3 prawns on to each skewer stick and marinade with zest of lemon, olive oil, black pepper & chopped mint. Once complete, set aside & prepare your salad bowl in the meantime. Grill your prawns on both sides till golden brown.
Preparation: The Salad Mix
Mix your picked herbs in a large bowl along with your 2 punnets of tomato, balled honey dew melon and brunoised watermelon. To your mix add the lemon juice, honey and olive oil. Gently mix through & transfer to serving bowls evenly. Break the burrata in half and place each half on top of the mix in serving bowls. Shred 2 slices of prosciutto per serve and distribute around serving bowls.
Plating & Garnish
Place the prawns on top of your salad mix in serving bowls, drizzle with balsamic vinegar & season as desired with salt & pepper. Garnish by sprinkling roasted pine nuts on each bowl & serve immediately.