From winning a James Beard Award to having Playboy magazine naming one of his restaurants “One of the 25 Best Restaurants in America.”, is there anything left for Chef Norman Van Aken to do in the culinary world? Sure, a return to Coral Gables with Norman’s 180 and of course, The Grinder:
BB: What’s the best Burger you’ve ever had?
NVA: My wife Janet’s “BBQ Stuffed Mushroom Burgers”.
BB: What’s the worst idea you’ve ever heard of (or tried) for a Burger?
NVA: Boxed frozen pre-made hockey puck burgers made from questionable parts of animals and plants.
BB: Are toasted buns necessary? Yes or No?
NVA: Yes. It adds in the sweet caramelization.
BB: 20 years from now Burgers will….
NVA: … probably be illegal.
BB: Who did you name the “WIG” Burger (from the Norman’s 180 menu) after, hmmmmm?
NVA: Don King and Dolly Parton.
BB: If you arm wrestled Emeril Lagasse for a Burger, who would win?
NVA: Me. Picture proof.
