<p>Missouri native John Verlinden began cooking at a young age, making noontime meals for his dad with the help of his mom's instructions. This lit a fire in John and he was off and running in a creative culinary direction. A love of Cuban food came by way of meals shared with the mother of John's partner. She generously shared her recipes and a few cooking secrets with John.</p> <p>John's goal with Latin food has been to offer it in a lighter and healthier style yet preserving the same great flavors. <a href="http://www.muchogusto.com/">Mucho Gusto</a>, John's personal chef, party and meal planner business, offers the very best in Nuevo Cuban cuisine "with the unique flavors, vibrant soul and magic of Old World Cuba." His cookbook, <strong><em><span class="title-callout">To Cook is To Love</span></em></strong> is in pre-publication phase as of June 2010, but you can reserve signed copies now by visiting the Mucho Gusto website.</p>

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