Reduced Shipping for 2+ Items! Free Shipping Over $750
Food Service Business Earn Cash Back on Eligible Purchases.
Click to Apply
Logo
0Logo
Chef Alvy's Corner - Corner Stories

Hey there!

I’m Chef Alvy, Senior Corporate Chef at Unilever Food Solutions.
Welcome to my curated collection of favorite Food Service Direct products! Whether you’re a seasoned chef, a passionate restaurateur, or a home cook who loves creating magic in the kitchen, you can now access the same high-quality ingredients I use to create delicious dishes in my kitchen. And yes, you can buy a gallon size mayo! 

 

Ready to cook like a pro? Dive in, explore, and let’s make something amazing together!
And don’t forget, share your creations and tag us on social media. I can’t wait to see what you whip up!

My Favorite Products

Follow Me on Instagram

My Favorite Recipes

Korean Burger with Kimchi and Egg

Korean Burger with Kimchi and Egg

PREPARATION

Cook and assemble the burger

  • In a medium bowl, add ground beef and Knorr® Professional Liquid Concentrated Base Beef, mix to combine. Divide meat mixture into 10 equal portions and shape each portion into a patty.
  • Place patties in skillet or grill and cook until done, approximately 4-6 minutes on each side.
  • In a skillet fry 10 over medium eggs, approximately 3 minutes on each side.
  • Lightly toast buns on a skillet or by placing them in a 375 degree oven for about 3 minutes inside side up.
  • Assemble burger by placing a slice of cheese on each bottom bun, followed by the burger patty, kimchi slaw, and a fried egg. Spread Hellmann’s Spicy Mayonnaise on each top bun then finish assembly. 

 

Chef Alvaro "Alvy" Lima

Birria Stuffed Rice Balls

Birria Stuffed Rice Balls

PREPARATION

Preparing the rice

*tips: you will want chilled rice to work with, in order to form and shape the balls.  

Preparing the birria

3 hours braising

  • In a large pot sear the beef, season with Knorr Professional Caldo De Res, oregano, and start adding the onion, garlic, bay and avocado leaves and water.
  • Add the guajillo puree.
  • Let this all braise low and slow for about 3 hours. Once the meat is fully cooked, like the rice lay on a sheet pan and let it chill in the cooler. Keep some of the braising liquid to help keep moist when shredding.

*tips: all the ingredients should be in the pot, not fully submerged and not at high heat. This method is truly a labor of love and you cook it low and slow till the meat is fork tender and ready to shred.  

Preparing the guajillo and garlic aioli

5 minutes

  • Combine all ingredients in a blender and buzz until smooth.
  • Pour in a container or squeeze bottle and chill in cooler. 

The color should be vibrant, it also should be thinner consistency.

Preparation of the rice balls

20 minutes

  • Cut the rice into 8 even squares on the sheetpan, do the same with the birria meat.
  • Begin to make the rice balls by taking one square of rice, some of the meat and mold in a cube of cheese. Repeat this process 8 times, you should be able to form the rice balls easily.
  • Once the balls are formed, dip them in flour, egg and then breadcrumbs. Repeat 8 times, place on sheetpan and freeze. Once the balls are chilled, you can begin to deep fry them till they are golden brown. Remember everything is fully cooked already, you just want to make sure the cheese melts inside.

Have your standard breading procedure made up, this will allow you to dunk as you form the balls. You will want the balls to be very cold if not frozen in order for them to hold shape.

 

To plate, I suggest using a bowl, it just makes more of a statement!

 

Chef Alvaro "Alvy" Lima

Bold global flavors. Real operator wisdom. This is Chef Alvy’s perspective from the frontline of foodservice.

Connect

Instagram
LinkedIn
Quality Shipment

Quality Shipment

We promise to get you what you need in quality condition

On Demand Sourcing Icon

On-Demand Sourcing

When you can’t find something you need, you can call us

Shipping Savings Icon

Shipping Savings

Free Shipping Orders for top Manufacturer items

Shipping Savings Icon

24 / 7 Support

We are here for you, our team is your team