Durham, North Carolina, has exchanged its old identity of “tobacco town” for that of “city of medicine and gourmet dining.” It’s the home of Duke University, North Carolina Central University, the Duke University Medical Center, and a hub of the Research Triangle which provides a physician-to-population ratio four times higher than the national average.

It’s also the home of the Washington Duke Inn and Golf Club.

In this inn, Dania Gonzalez can flip an omelet quicker than the wink of an eye. When asked, she will with a very pleasant smile tell you how it’s made and how it’s done.

Dania grew up in Hialeah, Florida. Her family is from Cuba. “Cooking was not what I thought of doing as work. I first joined the Army where I served in the medics. Later on I worked as a picture framer. It was when I moved to Durham that I decided to go to Wake Tech Culinary School.” It was a very good decision for all the gourmets who have had the...