Why this chef wants to bring fine dining to Cuba

Doug Rodriguez re-imagined Cuban food in Miami. Now he wants to do the same thing in Cuba.

And he’s bringing some talented chefs along with him.

Rodriguez, one of South Florida’s original Mango Gang, a generation of chefs who elevated South Florida’s dining scene in the late 1980s and early 1990s, is bringing 10 U.S. chefs to cook alongside Cuban chefs on the island. Among them are Bradley Kilgore of the Miami Herald four-star reviewed Alter, and Bernie Matz, founder of Bodega Taqueria y Tequila on South Beach.

He has been traveling to Cuba extensively since 2013, leading culinary tours. He will be leading a tour group of up to 200 people for an eight-day trip, from Sept. 24 until Oct. 1. There are also four-day packages available. Tickets are online at www.havanaculinaryexchange.com.

MIAMI HERALD: He’s bringing fine dining to Cuba, without apologies

This story was originally published July 13, 2016 at 11:07 PM.