Rico Mandel

I have had 2 passions in life since childhood – Photography and Cooking. I have been doing commercial and fine art photography for over 25 years and in 2003 went to the California School of Culinary Arts in Pasadena California where I earned a degree in the Cordon Bleu program. After that I was fortunate enough to work at the Saddle Peak Lodge full time for about a year and a half and part time ever since. In addition I have had the privilege to work with a variety of chefs and learn from each of them. Recently I began to meld my two passions resulting in a series of photographs called “Behind the Door – Chefs their food and their kitchens”. In addition I am working with 2 chefs doing photography on their cookbooks and am writing this blog which tells of my experiences in the culinary world both in the kitchen and outside. Everything in the kitchen comes from outside. I am interested in where the food comes from, the ingredients and the artisans who have such a passion for growing, raising and cooking what we eat.