Elena Ruz Cuban Cuisine

Robert Graham is organizing this fundraiser.

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"You're doing Cuban food?"

"Yup!"

"But you're not Cuban."

"Nope!"

"So you've been to Cuba then?"

"Nope!"

This is an exchange I've had multiple times over these past few years as I've formulated, planned and re-formulated this crazy plan to open Elena Ruz where Cuban food is what's on the menu.

While it's true that I'm not Cuban, have never been to Cuba and don't speak any Spanish, I still LOVE Cuban food! For the last 15 years I've been going back and forth to Miami, FL where my mom lives. It's there that I discovered the flavors, smells, and uniqueness that is Cuban food. But just as people have changed and assimilated in order to make their home in Miami from their native Cuba, so has the food that they prepare everyday. It's this "Miami-inspired" version of Cuban food that is my absolute passion!!!

I had the unique opportunity a few years ago to learn some Cuban cooking techniques from a friend I met through my mom, Joe. He's first generation Cuban and has a love for cooking his family's native food. He taught me how to braise meat using "La Caja China." Let me tell you-that's one amazing box! Joe was inspiring because of his passion for food and cooking and it's this excitement and enthusiasm that I hope shines through the food that comes out of my kitchen.

I've spent the last few years trying out these flavors that I brought back from my trips to Miami and then taking those flavors and putting my own spin on them. This has been truly a labor of love! I've grown as a cook (I don't use the word chef because I'm self taught rather than classically trained) and I've grown in confidence through the process of experimentation with food. It's been an outlet for me to bring people together and to aspire to bigger and greater things. It's these aspirations that have brought to the point where I can even dream of having a kitchen of my own!

This gofundme campaign will be used 100% for kitchen equipment and upstart costs. My wife and I are funding this ourselves with very minimal debt. Your contribution would get us started with so much of the basic initial operational costs. Knives are expensive people!! And then there's fridges, freezers, hood systems (CHA-CHING!) and the list goes on. But no matter what your level of giving is, please know that the mere thought that you cared enough to give means more than we can express.

Whether it's a small donation, a large donation, a kind word of encouragement, or support in thoughts and prayers-I am grateful! Please keep all types of support coming because I want so desperately to make my family proud and make this dream a reality! Thank you so much for partnering with me!