HealthLinksSC.com | 27 CHEF MIKE LATA CO-OWNER AND EXECUTIVE CHEF, FIG AND THE ORDINARY, CHARLESTON Recognized by the James Beard Foundation for his culinary excellence, chef Mike Lata delivers uncompromised freshness in the food created for his establishments FIG and The Ordinary in Charleston. The restaurants reflect Lata’s more than 35-year commitment to a culinary vision of working with local farmers and food producers to source the most wholesome ingredients for cooking locally and with the seasons. Whether cooking at home for his three children or at the restaurants for his guests, Lata relishes spring’s return with young, tender vegetables that star in his dishes. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE HEALTHY SPRING INGREDIENT? My favorite thing is honestly the whole season. It’s the beginning of a very prolific time for farmers in the Lowcountry. In the springtime, we see baby carrots, arugula, different lettuces and greens, asparagus, peas, leeks and super sweet onions. Once spring kicks in, everything is young, tender, fresh and herbaceous. WHAT’S YOUR GO-TO HEALTHY MEAL TO PREPARE FOR YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY AT HOME? Most of the time, we’ve got short-grain brown rice, sweet potatoes and something deep green like broccolini, spinach or kale. We’ll have a protein, like a piece of fish, chicken or steak. We’ll have the rice cooker with brown rice and steam or sauté a green vegetable on a Sunday and have enough to eat on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. Additionally, we might do one-pot dishes like turkey chili, which is a real win for us. WHAT ARE THE MUST-HAVE STAPLE INGREDIENTS EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE IN A HOME PANTRY? You need to have good salt, good olive oil, a variety of vinegars and oils, and fresh spices. WHAT’S ONE TAKEAWAY YOU WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW ABOUT HEALTHY COOKING? Cooking healthy doesn’t have to be expensive. Try to buy the best ingredients you can that are good for you. LAUREN FUREY CHARLESTON-BASED PRIVATE CHEF Lauren Furey offers personally curated in-home family-style meals based on coastal Italian and coastal Southern cooking. Inspired by Charleston’s diverse food and entertainment scene, Furey applies her culinary artistry honed in the kitchens of local restaurants and her passion for creating memorable dining experiences to her work as a private chef and cooking instructor. WHAT’S YOUR GO-TO HEALTHY INGREDIENT? Olive oil — a little bit goes a long way. I get my olive oil from Olinda Olives and Olive Oil (available in Charleston) and put it in squeeze bottles. Maybe you want to use a little olive oil to sauté something or create a fresh homemade dressing. You can drizzle as much or as little as you’d like. HOW DO YOU MAKE FOOD TASTE GREAT WITHOUT ADDING TOO MUCH FAT? I love to use citrus and herbs, specifically the zest of lemons and oranges. When you chop rosemary, it makes your kitchen and your whole house smell good. When I’m cooking greens, I always like to add a little vinegar. My preference is apple cider vinegar for sweetness. Photo by Erin Turner Photography. Photo by Gately Williams.
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