Learn how to create a perfect gluten free wellness feast from a Ritz Carlton Chef and his sidekick Farmer Starkey. Organic that will forever change your mind about healing foods.
“The right food and the right chef can bring about the right health … and suddenly we live forever!” The executive chef at the Ritz Carlton, Dove Mountain announces with such passion that I began believing in forever too. Introducing Daniel Schmidt, known as the General of his kitchen for his hard driving style. Look a little closer and you will find a family man with heart and the desire to bring decadent wellness to all of us with his culinary creations.
Chef Daniel was born in East Germany and learned his love for food from his grandfather. During the time of his youth, travel from East Germany was challenging yet Daniel’s grandfather was blessed to be in a profession that made it possible. He recalls his grandfather telling him stories of far away places and the dishes he tasted. Soon Daniel was accompanying his beloved grandfather and the spark of an international chef was launched.
Daniel’s maternal grandmother grew all her own food. As I often mention, food directly from the farm tastes better. Daniel illustrates this beautifully when he told me that he will “never forget the taste” of an egg directly from his grandma’s chicken. He describes the bright orange yolk and you can tell from his nostalgic expression that the experience feels like yesterday. “Mama made butter from an old fashioned churn”, Daniel reminisces with love in his eyes. He then reminds me of the “seriousness” of food by explaining his first experience with a potato! Yes, a potato. It seems his grandmother had asked him to select a particular potato and oops he grabbed the wrong one. He laughingly describing the big trouble he was in! His staff will likely tell you the apple didn’t fall far from the tree; knowing their mandate from Chef that each ingredient be perfectly selected.
At the young age of fourteen, Daniel began his career as a dishwasher and was advised by his grandfather to apply for a post at the finest hotel in Berlin. He was hired as a trainee and found himself working under a teacher that he describes more accurately as a drill sergeant. “It was harder than boot camp… everything must be meticulous or she would go nuts… she was even angry if our locker contents weren’t perfectly lined up!” Daniel tells me, shaking his head from the memory. He also credits that discipline to his success. He began winning competitions and became the youngest cooking champion in Berlin. His talents brought him around the world to compete. Everywhere he went he learned about the diverse food and ingredients central to the culture of each location.
Before joining the Dove Mountain team, Chef Daniel worked in South Africa and China. I asked him about the different nuances of each country and he tells me that in China everything begins with soup and every soup acts as a different type of medicine. As a chef in China he studied different herbs to include in his healing dishes.
Chef’s knowledge of traditional farming, healing foods, impeccability of ingredients, and the importance of local and seasonal menus join together to create an amazing experience at CORE, the Ritz Carlton Dove Mountain’s premier restaurant.
Recall that farmer I mentioned?! Chef Daniel has teamed up with Farmer Richard Starkey to grow the stunning organic ingredients highlighted in the Ritz Carlton creations. Do you recall the farmer of your childhood imagination? Did he look like a cute grandpa? Wear overalls, a hat, giggle , and grow veggies with the primary ingredients of love and sunshine? Yes, yet only in books? Not anymore! We found him in the Tucson desert. Farmer Starkey literally provides the farm to table experience we all so desire. A man of of integrity, he never uses GMO ingredients, pesticides, or herbicides. He knows the critical importance of healthy soil, doesn’t cut corners, and believes in honoring the earth. On his farm you will find a huge variety of fruits and vegetables. Did you know that you can grow watermelons in the desert? How about cucumbers, acorns, peaches, plums, kale, and squash? To prove the excellence of his produce, the first thing he does when we meet is hand me a refractometer. What is that you ask? I wondered the same thing! It turns out it measures the sugar and mineral content of fruit. In other words the quality of what you are about to eat. Both science and my taste buds didn’t prove me wrong. 
As true success always takes a village, the Ritz Carlton team is passionate about their craft. Take for example Kenneth “Shane” Cooprider. A former electronics nerd turned chef that knows first hand the importance of gluten free because his daughter is gluten intolerant. Or Devin Pinto, admired as the Ritz Carlton success story. He began by bussing tables and has moved up the ranks to become an integral part of Chef Daniel’s leadership team.
The dynamic group made a gluten free feast fit for wellness royalty. To learn more about the mouth-watering experience click the link below. It is worth the read and the trip! Join me on a gluten free wellness experience that will inspire you to skip the wheat (trust me you will never miss it!), seek out farmer’s in your area, and choose happy food love!
Learn how the Ritz Carlton Team Creates Gluten Free Nirvana!
Chef Daniel has a vision for his family. He dreams of opening a lovely seasonal breakfast café in Cape Town, South Africa. He imagines a multi –cultural menu of seasonal veggies. In his vision he is home for dinner every night. Together, with his wife and children they watch the sunset. He jumps on his bike every morning to ride to his café with the sunshine and the ocean breeze supporting him. “I promise you will find me there”. Chef Daniel tells me. And when he does I will be the first to bring you the story of his next adventure.
LoveSelf Note: What is your dream? What vision feels like ease and joy? How can you inspire your vision with food?
