Foodie Chap With Chef Juanita More
KCBS radio "Foodie Chap" and KPIX 5 television "Eye On The Bay" host Liam Mayclem introduces us to the culinary stars behind the food and wine loved by so many in the Bay Area.
About Chef Juanita More:
Fashion, food, philanthropy, and furious beats: it's all in a day's work for San Francisco icon Juanita MORE!
A celebrated drag performer, fashion muse, fundraiser, and gourmand, Juanita has been a force of creativity in her hometown and beyond for twenty-five years.
In 2011, the San Francisco LGBT Pride Celebration Committee recognized Juanita for her "outstanding artistic contribution to the LGBT community." Add this to the long list of honors accrued throughout her career, including being named Fundraising Chair of AGUILAS in 2002 and Grand Marshal of the SF LGBT Pride Parade in 2005.
The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence proclaimed her a Saint in 2006, the same year she completed a music video for the band The New Pornographers titled "Sing Me Spanish Techno". In 2008, she was recognized by California State Senator Mark Leno for her commitment to "bringing joy to the hearts of many in need." That same year, the Bay Guardian also acknowledged her as The Best of the Bay's Mistress Of Motown.
As a DJ and party personality, Juanita continues to reach out to the next generation of queer youth with club nights across the country, including her weekly party Booty Call Wednesdays in San Francisco's historic Castro District. In addition, she holds DJ residencies at Susanne Bartsch and Kenny Kenny's Vandam Sunday in New York, the monthly BEATPIG at San Francisco's notorious Powerhouse, Seattle's Lip Service, and Mother in Los Angeles. Her annual Pride Party has the widely-held reputation of being "the best party of the year," and has raised over $100,000 for various local non-profit organizations serving the LGBT community. It's a party I never miss.
A true style icon, Juanita has worked extensively with designer Mr. David, creating a wardrobe collection that includes over 1,500 couture pieces that have been shown at SF MOMA and the de Young Museum, in addition to several other community art spaces.
Those lucky enough to be invited into Juanita's kitchen have long known about her culinary prowess. With her annual Funky Chicken Dinner, MORE! shares her talents with the community in order to raise money for HIV/AIDS services. The only things tastier than her trademark honey goo slathered over fried chicken are the gorgeous MOREboys who serve it to you.
Whatever medium she works in, Juanita MORE! inspires those around her to make a positive difference in their lives and in their communities, doing it all with a timeless elegance and an innovative spirit.
I had the joy of dining at Juanita's table for her recent KITCHIT TONIGHT dinner party. The three course feast kicked off with a "as the garden grows" vegetable salad (radishes, rainbow carrots, fennel, asparagus, beets, mushrooms).
The main course the slow-roasted pork Juanita said "showcased my dad's patience in the kitchen and the dessert is evocative of my grandmother's backyard, which was filled with so many beautiful fruit trees.
Visit the KICHIT TONITE website for more on JUANITA's special menu and recipes.
Cheers and HAPPY PRIDE!!
- Liam
VEGETABLE SALAD
Juanita More's Vegetable Salad
with Lemon Vinaigrette
Ingredients:
2 small shallots
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
2 tablespoons lemon juice
½ teaspoon salt
Zest of one lemon
½ cup olive oil
Finely dice the shallots and macerate for 15 minutes in a bowl with the vinegar, lemon juice and salt. Whisk in the olive oil.
For the salad:
Choose seasonal vegetables at their peak for this salad and use a mandoline to shave and slice them into different shapes and sizes.
Radishes, rainbow carrots, fennel, asparagus, beets, mushrooms
You can add a sprinkling of greens such as watercress or mache to finish the salad!
Enjoy!
