Rico, the visionary founder and CEO of Miz En Place, embodies a lifelong journey fueled by passions for photography, filmmaking, culinary arts, business acumen, exploration, and entertainment. His mission is to unite people in support of artisanal small businesses worldwide. Rico eagerly welcomes the opportunity to share his compelling story and expertise, inspiring your culinary adventures and dreams.
Rico’s culinary journey has been inspired by incredible chefs such as Anthony Bourdain, Jose Andres, Alton Brown, Guy Fieri, Marco Pierre White, Mario Batali, The Pasta Queen, Men with the Pot, and Gordon Ramsay. Why?
- Bourdain was thought-provoking, completely relatable, and was a fearless explorer who wasn’t doing things simply for entertainment. He brought the gastronomic world and diverse cultures to a broader range of people by forming a personal and genuine connection with them.
- Jose Andres is an incredible chef who also gives back in such tremendous ways, such as his World Central Kitchen, which heads into disaster zones to ensure people are fed.
- Alton Brown brings the science of cooking to people in a fun and approachable way with shows like Good Eats.
- Guy Fieri is your “rockstar friend” who loves food and brings a wide variety of incredible American eats into your home.
- Marco Pierre White, dubbed the “first celebrity chef,” was the first British chef to be awarded 3 Michelin stars.
- Mario Batali, with his trademark bright orange shoes, brought the beauty and simplicity of authentic Italian cooking into everyday households with his jovial, easygoing manner.
- The Pasta Queen is a quintessential Italian cook who makes wonderful Italian food with a flare, elegance, and passion, along with her trademark turn of the head as her long hair follows suit.
- And then there’s Men with the Pot. Cooking in the woods with his dog over an open flame makes all sorts of food look delicious… but in an all-natural environment that plays into the fantasy of living off of the land in a culinary-inspiring way.
- Gordon Ramsay has brought so much to the culinary world, from helping restaurants succeed (sometimes through the “tough love” he is well known for) to giving chefs a chance to boost their careers. He also makes food approachable.
Why was Miz En Place created?
Miz En Place was created as a foodie community built around an authentic, heart-centered approach to food, travel, and sharing these experiences. We’re like a friend you can contact for cooking or gastronomic travel advice. To that extent, we came up with our own endearing word for the people in our community – “Mizies” – to embody and share our common love for the culinary world through food, culture, experiences, and storytelling.
Chef Rico wants each visitor to feel inspired and empowered to explore new foods and places in this diverse and amazing world. He is passionate about sparking people’s curiosity to imagine what it would be like to experience a new culture, food, drink, cooking method, or recipe.
A note from Rico:
“I believe in bringing people together through the fearless exploration of our gastronomic world and creating meaningful relationships and experiences so that we have a greater understanding of one another on this planet.
I want you to feel inspired and empowered to explore new things in your lives. Be fearless in the kitchen and in travel. I’m looking to spark your culinary curiosity to imagine what it would be like to experience a new culture, food, drink, cooking method, or recipe. I hope to inspire you to move out of your comfort zone… even just a little bit, to experience something new.
I aspire for you to Eat, Experience, and Educate yourself in a community that thrives on curiosity, imagination, and living life without limits!”
-Rico Mandel, Chef, Photographer, and CEO of Miz En Place
Thank you for being with us Mizie! … and happy birthday Chef Rico.
Have a question? Looking for a specific recipe or information on a specific food? Let us know in the comments!
