In just one season, and eight episodes later on the BRAVO network, Chef Roblé Ali is a household name. At age 27, Roblé has cooked for everyone, and I do mean everyone, from President Obama to Mariah Carey. When I was away in Paris, I reached out to Roblé for an in-depth interview.

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S.L.:  How did you get your start as a chef and what made you want to go into cooking?

Roblé:  I was more interested in eating at first. I figured out that if I was going to eat the way I wanted to eat all the time, I’d have to learn how to cook. I picked up a cook book at a book fair in the fifth grade and the rest is history.

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S.L.:  What was your first big break?

Roblé:  I’d say being hired by Chef Chris Santos. I was his Chef De Cuisine at a restaurant called Mojo. I learned a lot and made many valuable connections working with him. He’s my mentor. You can catch him as a judge on Food Network’s “Chopped“.

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S.L.:  What’s your favorite junk food to cook?

Roblé:  So many things! Nothing beats a good old Frito Pie!

S.L.:  Growing up in New York and Texas, do you have any culinary influences from these regions?

Roblé:  Absolutely. Southern cuisine is dear to me and living in New York gives me a global perspective on food, being that it’s such a melting pot.

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S.L.:  What’s your favorite dish to cook for your high fashion model girlfriend, Ayan Elmi?

Roblé:  I don’t have one. I try out all my new stuff on her first. She’s my guinea pig. Please don’t tell her that I said that.

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S.L.: Valentines Day is coming fast! What’s an easy romantic recipe that you wouldn’t mind sharing with my readers?

Roblé: Here’s a good one -> Ham and Cheese Croquettes with Caramelized Shallots and Honey Mustard.

Stay tuned for Part 2 of Chef Roblé’s interview coming soon.