Time Out Market Miami introduces The Maiz Project – a traditional Venezuelan arepa concept by Chef Richard Ortega, which opened on Wednesday, November 30th. It will be a welcome addition to the Market, which brings the best of the city under one roof by featuring the city’s top chefs, restaurateurs as well as cultural experiences.
Originally from a small town in Venezuela, Chef Richard Ortega attended Le Cordon Bleu culinary school, learning French haute cuisine in Lima, Peru. He then spent time in Bogotá, Colombia working in local kitchens. He later moved to Miami, Florida, where he cooked in many restaurants such as Alter by Chef Bradley Kilgore, Obra Kitchen by Chef Carlos Garcia, The Natural, winner of a Bib Gourmand, and Michelin- award winning concept, Los Félix.
Chef Ortega created The Maiz Project in 2021 with a mission to showcase traditional dishes and cooking techniques. Ortega drew inspiration from his grandmother and what he calls a “forgotten culture” of Venezuelan cooking. “We make arepas as it is done in the countryside, by cooking everything with charcoal and firewood,” Ortega said in a statement. Guests can expect dishes including the Steak Arepa with cheese and chimichurri, a Shrimp Arepa with avocado and garlic butter, and the Corn On The Cob with shelled corn, cooked over charcoal and topped with umami butter, llanero cheese, cilantro, and scallions. Corn Toast with crudos and seafood, a Time Out Market exclusive, will also be featured.
“We tried to bring back a forgotten tradition, due to industrialization, making arepas with real corn in the traditional way was forgotten. It was much easier for people to open a pack of pre-cooked flour (Harina Pan) to make arepas. No one cooks with charcoal or firewood anymore. Therefore, we wanted to serve elevated yet traditional dishes – reminiscent of what is sold on the beaches in Venezuela,” Ortega says.
Time Out Market Miami’s Hours of Operation are Sunday-Thursday, 11 AM – 10 PM and Friday-Saturday, 11 AM – 11 PM.
