Cesar Casier‘s Instagram is a bit bipolar. On the one hand, the top-ranked IMG model posts typical “beautiful people” pictures: posh parties in Ibiza, NYC street style freshness and gratuitous shirtless snaps of perfection. But just when you get inspired to head to the gym, there pops a pic of mouth-watering soup dumplings or a bowl of blueberry banana tahini with crushed macadamia nuts. That’s right, ladies: the model can cook.
Cesar debuted his Model Kitchen cookbook last year and since then, his legions of culinary and couture fans have only continued to grow. I caught up with the 26-year-old Belgian who blogs to chat goji berries, colon cleanses and Zoolander comparisons.
Cesar Casier: If I’m working, I wake up, eat breakfast and go to the shoot. I try to be always on time — I hate people who are late. After the shoot, I walk home. I feel like I need to walk it all off and relax. I’m always surrounded by people, so I like a moment to myself.
If it’s my day off, I try to wake up around 7:30 or 8:00 a.m. I’m an early bird. I eat homemade oatmeal with a little bit of cinnamon, blueberries and a banana. I make a green juice, answer my emails and keep up with social media. After a couple hours at the gym, I write for my blog and work on designing my own clothing line, which launches October 2. At night, I love to go to the movies or meet up with a friend to walk around New York. I like the New York streets at night. During the week, I try to go to bed around 10 p.m. My friends call me a grandpa sometimes, but I really believe that the hours before midnight count double.
JB: What’s the biggest misconception about the male modeling industry?
CC: That we’re all Zoolanders who party all day/night and spend the rest of our time at the gym.
JB: But you don’t spend all your time at the gym — you cook, too! What’s your favorite recipe from Model Kitchen?
CC: My lemon-roasted chicken. Sooooo good!
JB: What are the top three items every man should have in his pantry?
CC:
- Coconut water: It’s great for the skin and immune system. I drink it every day.
- Cinnamon: I can’t live without it. I put in my tea, oatmeal and smoothies.
- Goji berries: I eat a handful of them every day for an energy boost.
JB: Celebrity crush?
CC: Soooo many. For guys, Sean Penn, Tom Ford and Ashton Kutcher. For girls, Gisele Bundchen, Daria Werbowy, Rihanna and Angelina Jolie.
JB: What’s the last thing you googled?
CC: If a colon cleanse is good or bad for you. No joke!
