We are beyond excited to welcome Fer Candil the the Freda's Kitchen family! The first time I met her, I was struck with her warmth and passion for cooking and knew she was going to be a great addition to our team. She is going to be sharing her Spanish heritage in upcoming classes in 2017!
Here's a little bit more about the woman in the red scarf.
Fer is the Chef at Paellas, Tapas & More. Born and raised in Madrid, Spain, she also lived in Cadiz (South Spain), and in Santiago de Compostela (North Spain).
Fer began learning to cook customary Spanish food at an early age from her mother. She continues to use the same recipes that her family has transmitted orally from mother to daughter for generations. These recipes are being transferred to the new generation, especially now that her son has joined the family business.
Fer continue developing her cooking talents attending various culinary programs and through private lessons with professional Chefs in Spain. She started teaching cooking classes for kids and adults 12 years ago.
Fer always loved food, and was always the host and cook for her family, which with 2 sons, 3 daughters, 8 siblings and more than 30 nieces and nephews, family reunions head count was generally in the dozens. Being a close knit family, even by Spanish standards, these reunions took place almost weekly.
She has traveled through Spain and the rest of Europe with an open mind learning the many European food traditions. From delicate caviar in the selective New Year concert in Vienna to wild salmon out of the Scandinavian rivers. However, Fer's biggest pleasure is not really eating but seeing her guests filling their plates again and again with a big smile in their faces.
Even though she has a law degree, she never practiced. Her passion has always been connecting with people, and for more than 15 years she worked in a major Spanish public company organizing high-end domestic and international events. She actually met her husband organizing a NATO conference.