Welcome! My name is Alain L. Gutierrez. I am not a professionally trained chef, neither a great cook but I love food. I live in Havana, where I studied journalism. For the past 17 years I have worked as a writer and photographer.
Whenever I travel outside of Cuba, one of my top priorities is deciding where—and what—to eat. I’m usually traveling on a budget, and given the choice, I prefer eating where the locals eat. I believe food brings us all closer together. If you want to experience a place, experience its food—the real food, the meals and ingredients that define a people. Because if you savor the experience, every dish can be a lesson in culture.
Welcome to Havana, Cuba. In Taste of Cuba, I’ll share some of the great places to experience true Cuban cuisine—not just in my city but throughout this magnificent island.
Bienvenidos
Mi nombre es Alain L. Gutiérrez. No soy un chef profesional ni un tremendo cocinero pero me encanta la comida. Vivo en La Habana donde estudié periodismo. Desde hace 17 años trabajo como fotógrafo y periodista.
Cada vez que he salido de Cuba una de mis prioridades es decidir qué y dónde comer. Como he viajado siempre muy corto de presupuesto mis opciones me llevan a comer donde comen los locales. Creo que la comida une a las personas. Si quieres conocer un lugar, conoce su comida, sus costumbres, ingredientes, sus modos de comer que son los que definen a un pueblo. Si disfrutas la experiencia cada plato es una lección de cultura.
Bienvenidos a La Habana, Cuba. En Taste of Cuba compartiré esos lugares donde disfrutar la verdadera cocina cubana, no solo en mi ciudad sino en toda esta magnifica isla.
atasteofcuba.org 
Alain, conocí de tu blog a través de Alicia García y me he vuelto fan. Debes escribir más y más a menudo. Me tomo la libertad de «robarte» algún que otro texto para publicarlo en nuestro blog en http://www.alamesacuba.com. Gracias por ayudarnos a redescrubrir nuestro país…
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Ariel, un honor que me hace tu comentario. Deberíamos conocernos algún día. Cuenta con los videos de Tasteofcuba.
Un abrazo!
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Asian.. I would.like to get.in touch 55303577
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Alain, al fín pude ver tu blog, extraordinario, hoy ariel, de a la mesa, me comentó tu escrito sobre el mojito de ajiaco, pero he encontrado muchas cosas que tienen que ver con el trabajo q hacemos en Ajiaco, te admiramos a ti y a tu familia.
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Pedrito, sabes que la admiración es mutua. Ustedes en Ajiaco hacen un trabajo increíble con la comida tradicional cubana. Ustedes están haciendo historia en la restauración cubana. Un abrazo.
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Hi Alain ,
here is Dominique ( and Laurianne ). We are back in France .
I am sorry for missing you in the Bodejita !!! But we went two times in the Bodejita in Amargura Road, so it is possible that there is another restaurant call like that ! In the one we went there were chains of slaves on the wall …
So I look at your blog, and your nice photos give us apetit !!!
It was kind to met you.
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Excelente, ya tienes otros admiradores que gustan mucho de ver tus fotos y leer tu blog. Espero podamos compartir esta hermosa experiencia profesional.
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Tú también formarás parte de esa historia pero no creo que por comilón, gracias por tan buenas imágenes
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Saludos Alain, como te dije he visto el sitio, wow no lo imaginaba, yo soy un adorador de la buena mesa y de la innovación culinaria y esto me ha gustado mucho, gracias, muy buen trabajo, mucho exito.
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Hola Alain, we are chefs and culinary instructors here in California. We have been organizing culinary trips for our students and clients. We are visiting Cuba to arrange a trip in June 2016.
We would like to contact you for more information on our upcoming trip.
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tengo una amiga de anos, ella tenes de restuarante Cubana mas viejo y conocido en El Salvador en Merliot, Elizabeth, pero conocia comida Cubana antes en Mexico y Nicaragua con algunas de Cuba
Viva Cuba
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Hola Alain-
Me gusta el sitio!
Yo tengo una nueva compañía de turismo educacional para norteamericanos que visitan a Cuba de los EEUU. Estamos programando diferentes temas y queremos hacer un programa de culinaria cubana–quería saber si quisieras charlar en algún momento que tengas libre–yo voy a estar en la Habana el 28 de dic hasta el 9 de enero si quieres reunirse y charlar. Gracias!
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Hello, Alain- I am coming to Cuba in the summer. I am an architect and have set up a charity, charushila.org and we have been creating kitchen gardens around the world- Venezuela, UK and Palestine, etc. Could you please direct me to Havana’s organic gardens? I’d love to even do a short project with children while I am there. you can email me via the website of charushila. Many thanks. Sumita
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Saludos Alain,
my name is nick and I make wine in California. I will be in Havana in a month with a group of American wineries. Do you have an email that I could contact you at? Maybe you can try our wine !
Very best,
Nick
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Hola Alain,
It was a pleasure to meet with you on our visit to Cuba last month. We are in motion to promote culinary tours to Cuba. We will be in contact with you when we finalized the details.
Chow por ahora,
Chef Steve
California
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Hello Alain, my name is Kirk and I am producing an episode in Havana for a new food series. Love to talk with you about it. Can you send me your email so we can discuss? Best, Kirk
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Hello Alain, I am producer from Los Angeles on a new food series, and I’m planning an episode in Havana. Love to talk with you about it. Can you send me your email so we can discuss? Thanks! Best, Kirk
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Hi Kirk, sorry for the late. Could you write me to la email alainlazaro@gmail.com
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Hello Alain. I am a TV producer from Los Angeles and I’m planning to come to Havana to film an episode of a food show. Wondering if you could send me your email so we could discuss further. Thank you! Best, Kirk
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Hi Kirk. Of course I´ll like to collaborate with you. please contact me to alainlazaro@gmail.com
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Hola Alain, saw your show with Emeril and Erin in Cuba.. Admired and enjoyed it very much..You have one more follower in your blog.. Thanks and congrats! Iliana from Miami
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Hello Alain, great blog and good looking food. I found out about you from Emeril’s show. I’m looking to travel to Havana soon. I’ll reach out to your email to get in touch around my arrival date if that’s okay. Keep up the good work. EatSleepDad.com
-Victor
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Alain,
I saw the episode with you, Aaron Sanchez and Emeril. So interesting and beautiful. I loved it!
Visited in 2000 and hope to return.
Thank you
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Hello Alain! Wonderful blog with so much information. I, too, have a food and travel site called Chez Us. Like you when we travel we like to eat like a local would. I would love to be in touch with you – do you have an email? We will be in Havana from December 1 – 3 and are looking for recommendations! Local places that good to eat, coffee, sights, etc.. Any guidance would be lovely!
Denise
http://chezus.com
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Hello Alain! Wonderful blog with so much information. I, too, have a food and travel site called Chez Us. Like you when we travel we like to eat like a local would. I would love to be in touch with you – do you have an email? We will be in Havana from December 1 – 3 and are looking for recommendations! Local places that good to eat, coffee, sights, etc.. Any guidance would be lovely!
Denise
http://chezus.com
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Dear Alain L. Gutierrez,
I am coming to Cuba in 2017 to research food and restaurants in Cuba and would like to collaborate if possible.
Please email: bluejeanfoodcritic@gmail.com
So we could talk further. More information on my show is here:
https://bluejeanfood.com/smallbitesradio/
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Hola Señor Alain… Es un placer a ver lo descubierto atreves de el programa de Emeril Lagasse. Bueno para empezar me llamo Alejandro Ramirez Borbon o Alex Borbon. Soy actor y me encanta cocinar y mas, comer y aprender de las culturas que el mundo ofrece. Viajare con otra querida amiga Fernanda Kelly que también es actriz y host de un programa de Univision que se llama Lanzate. Iremos a Cuba por primera vez a mediados de Noviembre de este año 2016. Se que quizás este ocupado pero si ay alguna posibilidad nos encantaría conocerlo y quizás acompañarnos en alguna comida y mostrarnos un poco de Cuba. Estamos emocionados de conocer a hermoso Cuba. Espero y escuche de usted. Gracias por su tiempo. Saludos maestro. :0)
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Alain! Qué gusto encontrarte! Al igual que tú AMO comer! Voy de México para Habana el 9 de noviembre y me encantaría conocerte. Cómo te puedo contactar? Saludos!
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Hola,
Voy a viajar a La Habana Cuba pronto. ¿Dónde hay algunos lugares que debo comer y visitar?
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Hi Alain,
I just saw you on «Eat the world». Great job!!! And congratulations. What an honor to be recognized as the source for finding the best food in Cuba by these legendary chef’s. I am a food lover like yourself. I live in New York and would love to take you on my food tour of New York city if you are ever in town. I am planning on visiting Havana this weekend or next weekend. I would be wonderful if I could invite you for a meal to find out more about the food scene in Havana. If you are interested please contact me via email or Facebook.
Cheers,
daviddrewdds@gmail.com
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Hello Alain – I am an African American teacher, and I am excited that I will be visiting the country of Cuba next week! I learned of you from watching a short documentary on Cuban food on Youtube. The first time I ate Cuban food was in Miami a few years ago. I had Vaca Frita is it was sooooooo good. Can you suggest some «must try» eateries for me to try while in Cuba? Also, my spanish is limited, so do you know whether I can hire a local to be like tour guide and translator? I have no idea whether or not that’s a good idea and/or how to do so safely and cost efficiently. Thank you in advance!
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I am watching a show where Emeril came to Cuba to see you. Loved it. Enjoy cooking myself, arts, and am a floral designer by trade.love new recipes. Thank you
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Hola Alain!
Hope you are well. I came across your blog in my search on what to eat in Cuba. I’m Traveling there this week and I also have a blog where I do videos on food and cocktails. The website is http://www.endlesslyelated.com. I would love to interview you on cool places to eat in Cuba. Let me know if you would be interested. My email is kathleen@endlesslyelated.com. Talk to you soon! -Kathleen
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Alian, I happen to watch you on YouTube video of Aljazera and followed by your blog. It is an incredible job done by you by placing such a creative side of Cuba 🇨🇺 through vibrant food around it. Have become a big fan of this blog. I am a passionate traveller and love to get associated with such a fantastic work like yours. I am from India and would like you to visit, if not done yet. Also, I am looking forward to visit Havana too. Thank you
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Hola Alain.
I am planning a photography trip to Cuba and have heard you may be available as a guide or be able to recommend others. If so, please contact me via email at dwvcpa@yahoo.com for more details. Gracias!
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Alain hola!! Soy Sudafricano, un chef y hablo espanol. Vivi en Caracas unos anos! Vi tu programa en Aljazeera hoy…me encanto!! Adoro Cuba, los Cubanos, la comida, la musica…y me dio mucha emoccion ver este programa! Quiero hablarte sobre tu blog, por favor mandame in email. Mil gracias! Un abrazo!!!Jonathan
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