This Week in the XK: Jose Duarte

Dining Services and Northeastern's Latino/a Cultural Student Center are excited to once again present Cocinar Con Gusto to the Northeastern community this Wednesday, January 25.

Meaning "to cook with pleasure" in Spanish, Cocinar Con Gusto celebrates the heritage and cuisine of Latin chefs in the greater Boston area. The first event, held in November 2010, featured Chef Jose Duarte of Taranta Restaurant and we are thrilled to be able to bring Chef Duarte back to the Xhibition Kitchen for this semester's event.

Chef Duarte's one-of-a-kind menu featuring southern Italian and Peruvian influences has made Taranta Restaurant one of the North End's most unique destinations. While classic dishes such as pasta with tomato sauce are available for those looking for traditional Italian fare, it is the dishes that are inspired by Peruvian cuisine that make Taranta stand out in the crowd of North End eateries. For example, one of Taranta's signature menu items is the "Filet en costra de Cafe Espresso:" an espresso crusted filet mignon over a parsnip puree and sautéed escarole. The dish also features an algarrobina-vincotto sauce made by combining caramelized slow cooked grapes with algarrobina, a syrup made from the fruit of the black carob tree that is indigenous to South America.

For a taste of one of the North End's best restaurants, be sure to come to the Xhibition Kitchen for Cocinar Con Gusto this Wednesday, January 25 from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm. The event is free (all of Dining Services' XK events are!) and open to the public. If you would like to attend without eating lunch in the dining hall, simply sign in with your university ID at the Stetson West cashier station and proceed directly to the Xhibition Kitchen for first come-first serve seating. We hope to see you there!