Photos courtesy of Nikola Dzurna An up and coming chef and dessert artist whose creations are turning heads and trending on Instagram, Chef Nikola Dzurna will soon be a force to be reckoned with on the New York foodie scene. Dzurna ’s delectable and addicting treats can be catered for parties and celebrations or made specifically for that special someone in your life. In fact, you really don’t need an excuse to enjoy these totally unique, guilt-free treats. Her Dark Seduction collection consists of homemade treats that are vegan, raw and gluten-free. They are betterfor you dessert options but they look and taste just as rich as a box of premium chocolates. You don’t have to be vegan to enjoy these scrumptious treats. They are for everyone and anyone. Originally from the beautiful country of Slovakia, Dzurna hails from the city of Cerveny-Klaster or as it’s called in English, the Red Monastery. Dzurna and her sisters were raised by parents who, despite having busy lives and day jobs, were both passionate amateur chefs. This is where Dzurna received her inspiration from. The family loved to tease Dzurna, claiming that she couldn’t even properly boil water for tea. But she caught on fast, helping her Mom and Dad do everything in the kitchen, from cooking up a batch of caramel and creating soup sensations to putting together tasty, creative salads. While attending college, where she majored in architecture and engineering, Dzurna cooked for herself and other students, experimenting with various pastas and sauces. When her sister gave birth to a set of twins, Dzurna was more than happy to help out with the cooking. When this multi-talented chef isn’t doing her thing in the kitchen, she works as an engineering estimator. “I was always a bit of a tomboy, back home in Slovakia, Dzurna said. “ My interest in engineering also came from my dad, who had his own building company. In the kitchen, as in designing a building you have to be precise. But there is also room to be creative, as well. That’s why both professions appeal to me.” Her specialties are the guilt-free, vegan chocolate treats, but Dzurna’s skills are well rounded in the kitchen. Her favorite dishes to prepare include raw salads, quinoa, pesto-based sauces and all kinds of veggie soups. “I also do a pretty good vegan chocolate mousse which consists of an avocado blend, bananas, ginger, lime, mint, cacao and coconut water,” Dzurna said. “You can top it with nuts. This dish makes for a very satisfying dessert or a high energy way to start your day.” During the course of our conversation the talk naturally turned to different ways that one can eat healthy. “With health insurance the way it is here and the obesity crisis that America faces, we all have to take more responsibility for our wellness and be extremely conscious about just what we put into our bodies.” The Dark Seduction Collection is hand made every day. These treats will soon be coming to a juice bar and café near you and can always be custom ordered by calling the chef at 347-653-4880 or by emailing her at nikola.dzurna@gmail.com. They are a perfect snack for people on the go, whether you work in an office, café or as a trainer or yogi. We asked Dzurna how she came about her “spontaneous chef” brand. “Well, in life, that’s the kind of person that I am,” the chef exclaimed. “ But, it is more than just that. I use a recipe only as a base or foundation for the dish. I allow myself room to improvise, to be spontaneous if you will. When I make my treats or prepare a dish, I do everything by feeling and measure out ingredients by eye.” “Sometimes, when I see pictures of my food, I can’t believe that I actually made this.” she said. Dzurna’s Zucchini raw pasta dish is fresh, juicy and vibrant. The dish is light but it fills you up. Your plate consists of zucchini pasta, arugula, avocado, cashew pesto, black olives, lime juice, a touch of pink salt and a bit of black pepper. Her delicious mashed sweet potatoes are made from sweet potatoes, red onions, shredded zucchini, shredded beets, green sprouts, pink salt and a little apple cider vinegar. The dessert treats are made from ingredients like cacao powder, almonds, ginger, maple syrup as well as a few “top secret” touches and Dzurna’s personality is reflected in each and every delicious bite. SPONTANEOUS CHEF
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