Homaro Cantu + Ben Roche: Cooking as alchemy

Homaro Cantu and his team at Moto restaurant explore innovative culinary techniques, transforming familiar flavors into unexpected forms. They create dishes like printed maki rolls, carrot cake ice cream, and a Cuban sandwich cigar. The team establishes a lab for culinary experiments, leading to creations like a bleeding veggie burger and the use of miracle berries to alter taste perceptions. They emphasize sustainability by using local produce and wild plants, aiming to reduce food miles and waste.

What was the initial public perception of Moto when it first opened?

• A Japanese restaurant

• A French bistro

• An Italian pizzeria

• A Mexican cantina

How did the chefs transform carrot cake into a unique dessert?

• By grilling it with spices

• By blending it into a juice and freezing it

• By turning it into a mousse

• By baking it into a pie

What was the main ingredient used to create the Cuban cigar dish?

• Beef brisket

• Chicken breast

• Pork shoulder

• Lamb shank

What was the unique feature of the dessert nachos created by the chefs?

• They were served hot

• They contained spicy jalapeños

• They melted like real nachos

• They were made with real cheese

What is miraculin, as mentioned in the video?

• A rare spice from Asia

• A type of sugar substitute

• A glycoprotein that alters taste perception

• A new cooking technique

What local produce did the chefs use to mimic tuna?

• Pumpkin

• Cucumber

• Watermelon

• Zucchini

What unconventional ingredients were used to make barbecue sauce?

• Tomatoes and onions

• Hay and crab apples

• Peppers and garlic

• Carrots and honey