Haute Secrets Miami: Norman Van Aken

Haute Secrets Miami

Name: Norman Van Aken

The Stats: Born in Diamond Lake, Ill.; moved to Miami in 1990; currently resides in Coral Gables.

Why he loves Miami: The weather and the amazing mix of cultures.

Norman Van Aken is more than a celebrated chef — he’s an innovator. Aside from his international culinary fame for bringing New World Cuisine to the culinary forefront — infusing Latin, Caribbean, Asian, African, and American flavors into his creations — Van Aken has also introduced the concept of “fusion” into the culinary world.

With a fine dining restaurant, NORMAN’S, in The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes, Chef Van Aken has achieved a number of worldly recognitions. Zagat rated the dining venue “Orlando’s Best.” The James Beard Foundation, which recruited Van Aken as the first chef in America to become a member of its Board of Trustees, also nominated NORMAN’S as “The Best Restaurant in America” and honored the chef as a recipient for “Best Chef in the Southeast.”

Aside from his many other notable accomplishments and awards, Van Aken serves as a member on the prestigious James Beard Advisory Board, and has published four books. More recently, Van Aken opened his newest restaurant, Norman’s 180, in Coral Gables.

Check out Norman Van Aken’s favorite haute spots in Miami at Haute Secrets.