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NORMAN’S Orlando restaurant founder and “Florida’s Culinary Icon”, Norman Van Aken, is hosting a celebration to honor Chef Jacques Pépin’s 90th birthday!

Even in its third incarnation, the menu’s original Latin-Caribbean DNA is still intact, though flavors from Japan and Southeast Asia add to Van Aken’s “New World” cooking philosophy.

Is there anything better than sitting on Norman's covered outdoor patio, sipping wine as you enjoy the gentle Florida breezes?

Writing about food for nearly two decades has allowed me to experience delicious meals and meet extraordinary people. Chefs have their own language and many of them tell their stories through their food. Some are as eloquent with words as they are in the kitchen. Norman Van Aken is one such rare gift of a person.

NORMAN'S is located on Orlando's famed 'Restaurant Row'. Norman Van Aken is a restaurateur, chef, author, and James Beard recipient of 'Who's Who in America.' Credited with coining the term 'Fusion Cuisine' in 1989, Van Aken is regarded as the 'Founding Father of New World Cuisine.

Asking 'Why' rather than 'What' is the true pursuit of excellence. In this episode, Chef Norman Van Aken will take you back to his roots with pizza. While this Roasted Pork and Chipotle Latin Pizza recipe is miles from his earliest pizza memories, it still has the important elements that make pizza a versatile and wonderful food. Bonus scene at the end- Where did Key Lime Pie Originate? You'll have to watch to find out!

Cooking is twofold... it's about the flavor AND the stories. Let your food tell a story. World Renowned Chef Norman Van Aken will guide you through one of his most popular dishes. Sake Spiced Painted Snapper is one of those dishes they write stories about not just because of its complexity and balance but also because of how it came to be. Follow along with Chef Norman Van Aken and learn his tips for mastering this painted fish recipe with technique, mindfulness and and simple ingredients.

Southerners make barbecue, fried chicken, and biscuits better than anywhere else in the world. But anyone who thinks Southern food is limited to those dishes hasn't been here in awhile. Our ever-changing region is at the forefront of what's new in the food world, and this list of our readers' favorite new restaurants is evidence of that. As part of our annual South's Best Awards survey, we asked for your favorite recently opened spots, and you responded with a list that is as diverse as the South itself.

Orlando's known for going big and bringing over-the-top dining experiences to all - locals and tourists alike. And thanks to some new impressive additions that popped up in the past year (Otto's High Dive, Camille, Chuan Fu), the list of local restaurants serving great food and elevated ambience is ever-growing.

Some may recognize Van Aken's name from the Mango Gang of the late '80s and early '90s, a group of mindful chefs - including Allen Susser, Mark Militello, and Doug Rodriguez - who developed dishes while celebrating Florida's multicultural melting pot.

Nothing says splurge like a dinner at Norman's. The spacious dining room at the Dellagio Town Center has a shining brass bar and windows into the 4,000-bottle wine cellar, along with a constant flow of double-digit anniversary dinners and corporate types schmoozing with potential clients. They do fancy fusion dishes like french toast stuffed with foie gras and blue crab beignets with yuzu aioli, along with a worthwhile wine pairing that'll get you access to some of the best stuff from their big selection.'

If you're looking for the perfect steak and seafood restaurant, we found the best place. The only downside is that it's about over an hour from Tampa. We're constantly searching for the best restaurants to eat at in Florida. We recently found the best new restaurant in the Sunshine State thanks to a recent study from Southern Living. Keep scrolling to find out Florida's best new restaurant for 2024.'

Delicious doesn't have to be difficult. Join legendary Chef Norman Van Aken as he shares some of his favorite cooking tips and techniques from his many years in the restaurant industry. From fresh grouper in Key West to the rich aroma of Cafe con Leche in Little Havana, follow along as Chef Norman teaches you how to shine in the backyard with outdoor recipes that are sure to impress.'

From ramen to Michelin-starred sushi and old Florida classics, find your picks at the best restaurants in Orlando.

A free spirit who grew up in rural Illinois, Van Aken attributes his maternal grandmother, who moved in with his mother, two sisters and him after his parents divorced when he was ten, for igniting a wondrous curiosity in the world which he still carries today.

There's something satiating about watching your favorite celebrity chef whipping up a frenzy on TV from the comforts of home. But the ultimate indulgence lies in snagging a coveted seat at one of their legendary restaurants. After consuming their culinary geniuses via cooking shows and cookbooks, it's the proverbial icing on the cake to experience firsthand the chef's style and creativity on the table before you.

Despite being the gateway to the theme park capital of the world and being one of the cities included in the recently launched Michelin Guide to Florida, Orlando remains wildly underrated as a dining destination. Too often, this thriving and vibrant metropolis gets lumped in with Universal Studios and Walt Disney World - the latter of which is about 30 minutes away, decidedly not within city limits.

Norman's, the upscale dining restaurant from one of Florida's most celebrated chefs, Norman Van Aken, has opened in its new location at Dellagio Town Center in the Restaurant Row District after an absence of nearly four years. Its return immediately widens the field for anyone conducting a search for Best Restaurant of Central Florida.

James Beard Foundation's 'Who's Who in American Food and Beverage' chef Norman Van Aken returns to the spotlight with a documentary about mentee Charlie Trotter and the reopening of Norman's in Orlando.

Eater editors get asked one question more than any other: 'Where should I eat right now?' Orlando dining obsessives want to know what's new and hot and what favorite chef just launched a new spot. And while the Orlando Eater 38 is a crucial resource covering trusted standbys and neighborhood essentials across the city, it's not a chronicle of the 'it' places of the moment.