Photo By Marcella Shook
Lauren Covas
Chef Lauren Covas has always found inspiration in the flavors of her Portuguese roots.
A first-generation American, she spent her childhood in Newark, N.J., in a close-knit neighborhood made up mostly of Portuguese immigrants called the Ironbound where food was at the heart of every family gathering. Now, at 41, the Food Network champion and professional chef has traded the fast-paced world of restaurant kitchens for the challenge of running her own catering business — a move that allows her to bring balance to her life with husband Bill and sons Logan, 14, and Gavin, 11.
That doesn’t mean her plate is not full. The New Jersey-based chef, who first came to Boca Raton for an internship at the Boca Raton Country Club, just published her first cookbook, “Little Portugal: Bold and Flavorful Portuguese Cooking From My New Jersey Kitchen.” An homage to the community where Covas grew up, the book shares the familiar flavors of her childhood and introduces home cooks to the cuisine of Portugal.
“I always wanted to write a cookbook, and I felt that my first one should feature my origin cuisine,” she says. “It’s a tribute to my mother and grandmother, who taught me to cook. Portuguese food is not as widely known in the U.S. as other European cuisines, and I want to change that. Most importantly, the recipes needed to be approachable for home cooks. Amazing food can be so simple; it’s about finding the best ingredients and letting the freshness and flavors shine.”
Alongside her newly launched cookbook and successful catering business, Covas has also debuted a podcast, “From Portugal, with Love.” Winning the Food Network competitions “Chopped” and “Supermarket Stakeout” gave her the confidence to share her work and develop a social media presence. She’s also open to returning to television, ideally in a role that would help inspire people to cook more regularly.
“One of my biggest goals is encouraging people to cook at home more,” she says. “This leads naturally to gathering around the table and sharing with loved ones. We’re all so busy and, yes, wrapped up in our devices, that we’ve moved away from this. It sounds so simple, but sharing time and great food around the table is the hallmark of a life well lived.”