Scosha Loves — Deena Chanowitz

Food artist Chef Deena Chanowitz focuses her healing energies on farm-to-table, delicious creations. Here she discusses the importance of travel and how that plays a role in her life as a cook.

What does traveling mean to you?

Travel is clarity to me. Travel is my time to expand my mind and open it to all sorts of possibilities. I use my time away to get to explore myself and realign with the universe. I continually work on keeping these experiences alive within me.

 

What has been your most meaningful adventure?

My most meaningful adventure was when I traveled to Kpondo, Ghana, to volunteer at a children’s hospital. My home for the month was an orphanage that took in children with no families and that were AIDS/HIV positive. The hospital was a tent, we had no running water and we had to walk a distance for electricity. In Ghana people only think about today, and they live each moment fully. I remind myself of Ghana when I catch my mind obsessing about the future.

What are you always sure to collect while traveling and why?

I always collect spices and herbs. I also try to learn new cooking styles and about the vessels being used to cook. On my last trip to Japan, I brought back matcha. I made matcha cookies, bars, truffles, macaroons, coloring for foods, and of course matcha lattes.

 

The best beach you’ve ever been to?

Uluwatu in Bali! It’s located on the southern tip of Bali. 
To get to this beach you need to start out in the morning. You need to go through town, climb down a rock wall with a makeshift staircase, pass homes that are built into the mountain, and then the path spills you on to a most spectacular beach combining turquoise waters and gleaming white cliffs. It’s a magically beautiful place.

What is your favorite Scosha piece?

My favorite Scosha piece is THE COAST BRACELET. The coast helps me stay grounded. As a Pisces/Aquarius, I march to my own drum and need a gentle reminder to periodically touch my feet down to the ground and back into present day.

 

 

Follow Deena on Instagram — @chefdeenanyc