KISSIMMEE, Fla. — A Kissimmee chef is honoring his mom through soul food he prepares.

“She’s the No. 1 person in my life, and she made a lot of sacrifices growing up,” Chef “Tony Tone” said, speaking about his mom, Candee Lee.

Chef Tony, a Virginia Beach native, has opened his first restaurant in Kissimmee, Candee Lee's Soul House, sharing his recipes.

“Most of them are family, whether they come from my dad, my mom, aunties, uncles," he said.

Chef Tony broke down the recipes for two of his best sellers: his fried chicken and million-dollar mac. 

You can find Candee Lee’s on U.S. Highway 192, also known as 8085 Irlo Bronson Highway, across the street from the Promenade at Sunset Walk.

Let’s cook!

Fried Chicken by Candee Lee’s

Ingredients

  • 40-pound case of wings
  • 5 cups mustard                
  • 5 cups cornstarch
  • 3 cups buttermilk
  • 1/2 cup of Cajun seasoning
  • 1/2 cup Sazon
  • 1/2 cup onion powder
  • 1/2 cup of garlic powder
  • 2 cups of Montreal chicken seasoning
  • Package of House of Autry Fry Mix

Instructions

  1. Mix ingriends, excluding fry fix, well and massage the chicken, making sure you are firmly coating each crevice with seasoning mix.
  2. Bread with House of Autry Fry Mix, shaking off excess flour. (Excess flour eats at the fryer and burns the oil.)
  3. Fry until 170 degree Fahrenheit internal temperature and chicken is golden brown.

Million-Dollar Mac by Candee Lee’s

Ingredients

  • 2 quarts heavy whipping cream
  • 2 blocks of Boursin cheese
  • 1 can evaporated milk
  • 1 tablespoon of garlic
  • Sprig of thyme
  • 1 cup flour
  • 1 cup oil
  • 1/4 cup bouillon
  • 4 pounds of shredded cheese blend
  • 4 cups macaroni noodles

Instructions

  1. Make roux with flour and oil. Add garlic at the end to sweat.
  2. Add blocks of Boursin cheese.
  3. Slowly whisk in can of evaporated milk.
  4. Slowly add heavy whipping cream.
  5. Slowly whisk in shredded cheese.
  6. Whisk until smooth. Season to taste with bouillon.
  7. Use 4 scoops (cups) of base, with 4 cups of cooked macaroni noodles.
  8. Season to taste.
  9. If cold, thin out with evaporated milk and season to taste.
  10. Add 1cup of cubed cheese and 1 cup mozzarella per pan. Mix in. Add shredded cheese blend on top, and bake at 400 degrees F for 15 minutes, or until cheesy, white golden brown on top.