2013 Governors Ball Menu Is a True Oscar Winner

After all the Oscars are handed out at this year’s Academy Awards, those in the know will head to the Governors Ball where 1,500 lucky guests will dine on what must be the ultimate petite plate dinner, all thanks to Master Chef Wolfgang Puck.

Just consider, for example, the skill to create and serve all the following to all the Stars:

Tray Passed Hors D’Oeuvres

Spicy Tuna Tartare, Sesame Miso Cone, Pickled Ginger, Bonito Flakes
Mini Kobe-Style Burger, Aged Cheddar, Remoulade
Vegetable Spring Rolls, Sweet & Spicy Dipping Sauce
Smoked Salmon Oscars, Dill Crème Fraiche, Caviar
Vegan Pizza with Pesto and Grilled Vegetables
Caprese Cone, Basil Flowers
Shrimp Fritter, Spicy Coconut
Steak Tartare, Parmesan Toast Sandwich
Duck Wonton, Orange Mustard
Kombu Chip, Edamame Guacamole
Smoked Salmon “Pizza” Cones

Sushi & Shellfish Station

Cocktail Platters
Truffle & Parmesan Grissini, Black Truffle Aioli Dip (v)
Winter Fruit “Caprese”
Bacon Wrapped Dates
Rosemary Spiced Nuts and Pineapple

Small Plates Cold
Japanese Baby Peach Salad
Chinois Chicken Salad, Wontons, Chinese Mustard Dressing
Kale Salad, Grilled Artichoke, Lemon Vinaigrette
Tuna Niçoise Style, Green Olives, Fennel and Caper-Anchovy Vinaigrette
Farro, Apple, Beet, Spiced Walnut

Small Plates Hot
Chicken Pot Pie, Black Truffles
Chestnut Tortellini, White Truffles
Snake River Farms New York Steak, Matsutake Mushrooms
Baked Potato & Caviar
Steamed Red Snapper, Thai Spice
Truffle Macaroni and Cheese
Lobster with Black Bean Sauce
Slow-Braised Lamb Shank “Shepherd’s Pie”
Beluga Lentils, Cauliflower, Baby Vegetables

Desserts
Created by Pastry Chef Sherry Yard
Crystal Vacherin
Melange of Berries and Crème
Sugar Chandeliers, Hand Piped Strands of Royal Icing
Cherry on Top
Chocolate Pudding, Cherries, Chocolate Crumble, Vanilla Cream
Mango Crumble
Mango Brunoise, Passion Mango Cream
Bon Bons
Raspberry Lychee and Milk Chocolate Marzipan
Snowball
Ginger Meringue Dome, Cassis Sorbet, Yogurt Whip, Lavender Macaron Confetti, Blueberries
Baked to Order Chocolate Souffle Cake with Shaved Espresso Ice
Huckleberry Macarons
Ribbons of Shaved Ice with Frozen Grapes
Chocolate Crème Brulée with Raspberries

Cookies, Candies, Chocolates and such…
Pistachio and Marzipan Pavé
Concord Grape Lollipops
Everyone’s Oscar Favorite Peanut Butter Chocolate Pop Rock Pop
Caramels || Violet Velvet Truffles || Chocolate Shortbread
The General Lee Cookie – Candied Walnut – Milk Chocolate Chip - Coconut
Yuzu-Lemon Bars || Blueberry Financier Pops

And the cuilnary winner is....

EVERY HARD WORKING CHEF AND STAFF MEMBER!

Your Culinary World copyright Ana Kinkaid/Peter Schlagel 2013

Korean Air Force Parody Offers Humor to Snow Bound Chefs

The record setting winter storm Nemo has dumped heavy snow from Washington DC to Maine. Thousands of homes and business are still without power. Hundreds of planes are only now getting airborne again.

Equally affected have been the region's countless restaurants. Many are still unable to open due to stranded staff, power blackouts and delayed deliveries.

But have no fear, for as the East Coast digs out from tons of late season snow, the gentlemen of the South Korean Air Force have created a stunning parody of the musical Les Miserables entitled "Les Militaribles".

Here too the stuggle is with too much snow but 'moved' with such talent even Broadway (snow or no snow) will have to say, "Bravo - Well Done Gentlemen!".  This outstanding parody is proof once again that "Spring will come" and that thankfully true talent is universal!

 Your Culinary World copyright Ana Kinkaid/Peter Schlagel 2013

Bastille Day and Les Miserables Musical Celebrate French Food and Freedom Perfectly

July 14^th is Bastille Day or la Fête Nationale in la belle France as the home of freedom stops and starts to celebrate “liberté, egalité and fraternité”.

Festivities include La Bal du 14 Juillet, a giant dance party traditionally held on the Place de la Bastille where the infamous stormed Bastille Prison once stood, the firehouse galas or ‘Bals des Pompiers’ and the grand (and seemingly endless) formal military parade down the stunning Champs-Elysées Avenue.

But dearest to the French (and all those who love all matters French) are the magnificent fireworks launched over the iconic Eiffel Tower. The 2011 display theme is “From Broadway to Paris”.

But in all fairness, perhaps that theme is backward because one of the greatest musicals ever written was France’s gift to Broadway (and the world): Les Miserables. And no other musical better presents the need for freedom that is the essence of Bastille Day (and the essential heart of the hospitality industry). 

Based on a book written by Victor Hugo, the novel Les Miserables follows the life of Jean Valjean, who is imprisoned for 19 years at hard labor for stealing only a loaf of bread for his sister’s starving son.

Though stealing food is a crime, the insensitive nature of society to hunger and the excessive sentence establishes the two major themes that run throughout the novel, the musical and French history – the parallel values of human justice and inclusive cuisine. 

Justice, understanding and compassion are granted or withheld by the various members of the world that Valjean passes through, including a kind country bishop who feeds and then lies to protect him to the hate-blinded and eternally unforgiving Inspector Javert. 

Equally threaded throughout this legendary story is role of cuisine in both a true and false understanding of hospitality.

From the stolen bread to the final wedding feast of Valjean’s beloved ward Cosetta, Hugo serves up one food metaphor after another in his novel, holding as it were, a mirror up to the true and false moral appetites of mankind.

Especially memorable is the false and totally disgraceful innkeeper Thenardier, who only seeks to exploit every guest, and the honorable Marius who mourns his murdered friends, who supported revolutionary change, among the empty chairs and tables of their favorite student cafe.

The final feast of meaning that both Hugo and the musical share is that freedom and hospitality are eternally intertwined because each requires a respect for every individual met and served.

What better and truer theme could there be for Bastille Day, France's Fête National, surrounded by many of the world's greatest hotels and restaurants, open to all and encouraging everyone everywhere to enjoy life, freedom and honor all others in the true and universal spirit of hospitality.  

Your Culinary World copyright Ana Kinkaid/Peter Schlagel 2011