Norel Luza's Page

Hometown:

Katy

About Me:

I was born in Oklahoma City, but I mostly grew up in Europe and Southeast Asia. I've had an interest in culinary arts since I was a child. While living in Europe, I read a book called, "Chateaux Bon Vivant." It was about all the antics of a bed and breakfast in Quebec. It was then that I decided that I wanted to learn to cook. I had an exceptional advantage. While living overseas, we always had maids. I would always hang out with them after school and act as a helper. Swedish, French, Malay, Chinese and Thai were the among the first types of cusine that I was to learn each of course was the nationality of the maid). When I turned 18, I began my college career and ended up with a BA in Anthropology. My first restaurant gig was Cajun place in Texas. The first sixweeks I was there, my main job was to make the roux. I ended up working there two years and I loved it. Since then I've worked at 16 restaurants around Texas and Hawaii. 22 yrs. have passed since that first restaurant and now I am currently a Sous Chef at a restaurant in Houston. I am, however, a bit of a nomad. I don't like to stay in one place too long and the idea of joining that subculture of seasonal chefs is starting to sound pretty good. You know, 6 months here, 4 months there; working the circuit. I guess that's how it works. Along the way I've become an accomplished guitar player and armchair political analyist. I've travelled to 38 countries. I've seen Mount Everest, the sistine chapel and Macchu Picchu. I was in a real football riot between the British and Germans in Charlois, Belgium,during the 2000 European Football Championships. I've worn out 3 wives, but I got two fine sons out of the deal. My oldest boy was making crepes and a fine Hollandaise when he was 6yrs. old.

Joie de Vivre!!!!

Last Seasonal Job:

Never had one

Favorite Seasonal Job:

Hope to discover that soon.

Where have you lived and worked?

Great Britain, Netherlands, Singapore, Maui, California and Texas. I worked as a Chef de Partie at a Mexican/Pacific Rim style restaurant in Kehei, Maui, a Chef de Partie and Concierge at small hotel in Amsterdam and many restaurants throughout Texas. The job I had before my current position was Gaido's, in Galveston, Texas I worked there as a Chef de Partie for two years untill God, in the form of Hurricane Ike, urged me to seek life elsewhere.

Dream Job:

My own restaurant.