Recently I was given tickets to a $300/plate dinner catered by chef's selected by the James Beard Foundation. I don't run with the society set, so a fancy dinner isn't part of my normal life, but when something like that drops in your lap, you can't say no.
I threw on a dress (and after a month of nothing but khaki's, tennies and a work polo shift, I felt like a new woman) and headed to the dinner. We started with cocktail hour which included a wine tasting and a signature cocktail, none of which I tried (I'm a non-drinker) but soon the hors d'oeuvres came out and I was in food heaven, check out this list:
- Smoked Pepper Polenta, Sweet Corn Relish and Chile-Maker's Mark Bourbon Glaze
- Stonecross Farms Pork Belly, Confit Tomato & Thyme, Sapori d'Italia Goat Cheese and Brioche
- Tesa wrapped Kentucky Blue Brawns, Henkle Farms Heirloom Tomato Gazpacho and Chile Oil
- Potato Chip with Scallop and Caviar (I missed out on this one, but I was ready to give caviar a try for the first time)
Each bite was amazing. I could barely wait for dinner to begin, but while we were outside for the reception I did manage to catch a shot of the amazing sunset that night. Then it was on to a five course dinner.
- First Course: Tower of Yellow Fin Tuna, Herb Salad, Yuzu Granite
- Second Course: Parsnips Agnolotti, roasted Pumpkin and Heirloom Apple, Parmesan-Parsley Jus
- Third Course: Sous vide Venison Loin, Candied Yams, Red-Eye Jus
- Fourth Course: Braised Alltech Angus Short Rib of Beef, Field Bean Succotash, Confit Musrooms and Tomatoes
- Fifth Course: Roasted Fig and Dark Chocolate in Phyllo, Brandied Cherries and Muscadine Syrup.
As a non-red-meat eater the third and fourth courses weren't my usual cup of tea, but everything else was AMAZING! Not sure I'd be willing to shell out $300 for any meal, but I've proven to myself that my taste buds have matured enough to appreciate true dining perfection.
Any foodies out there? I loved the second course (parsnip pasta with shredded apples) so much I'd love a recipe for something similar.
Saw this song on Glee a couple of weeks ago and it hasn't left my head. If I was a billionaire I'd add a few more dining experiences like this to my life.
It's Thursday, so don't forgot to click over to Inspiration Studio for my weekly post, I'd love to hear your suggestions for next week's playlist
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13 comments:
I've never been to an event like that! What an experience it must have been. That sunset... absolutely gorgeous. (Do I say the same things about all your photos? I truly mean it if I do!)
For some reason this post reminded me of our "tea" at Herrods in London. Do you remember that? We had no clue what was going on . . . LOL.
Yum, you have my mouth watering by just listing the courses. Must have been amazing.
what an amazing selection of dishes! wish I could cook them all or have them one night. I will check out your other blog. My daughter made me a cd before she left for uni, it's mostly carol king tapestry, oh I love that album do you?
Parsnip pasta, sounds interesting and I have been looking for an excuse to use start using my pasta making machine so will try it out. I will think about how the shredded apples will work best, like the sound of making them crispy with walnuts and Gorgonzola and actually a bit of venison as it is winter (but without the venison works too)!
Dinner sounds AMAZING..or at least those parts that didn't include meat (me too - I'm not a meat eater). And - I love this piece from Glee. Happy music!
Oooo, I am jealous! James Beard award winning...nice!!
Sounds good, not vegan, but delicious! What a treat.
i love the pink sunset and all those courses, wow. i would need a nap, but it sounds wonderful. enjoy your weekend!
oh wow what a dinner and what a great song choice to accompany it. You were very lucky to score the tickets the food sounds amazing
What an incredible experience!!! The menu sounds like it was absolutely heavenly...sigh...
You had me at Smoked Pepper Polenta... great song too.
you were volunteering at the FEI word games?! i'm so officially jealous!! had i not just had kiddo, i would've been there!!! do you have more pics? pretty please?
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