Back in March we attended the St. Elizabeth Seton gala with the Michettis and the Shucarts. There was a silent auction at the beginning of the evening and then once all the guests got liquored up, they had a live auction! One of the items auctioned off was a "Chef for a Night" with Chef Brian Roland of M Waterfront Grill. Three glasses of Pinot Noir later, we took home the Chef! Well, we didn't take home the chef, but we took home the prize!! Brian and I have been going back and forth for the last few weeks regarding the menu and a few other things. He asked me if I had any requests for the menu and I told him I was NO Betty Crocker and that I was putting the evening fully in his capable hands!!
Sarah and Kerry were nice enough to have the boys over to their house for a sleepover. They came and picked up the boys about 1:00. I spent the afternoon doing some shopping and puttering around the house. Brian and chef friend Kris came over about 5:15. I was already ready just sitting on the couch looking at Facebook on my phone. Never have I EVER been fully prepared for a gathering at our house PRIOR to the guests arriving. I guess when you don't have kids and you have a chef, there's not a lot of things to do!!
We invited the Michettis and the Shucarts to join us since they were there at the auction!!
- Appetizer Course 1
-
Chilled Watermelon and Cherry
Tomato Gazpacho
Jumbo Lump Crab, Citrus Cream, Cucumber
and Mint
Holy heaven in a bowl.
- Appetizer Course 2 -
Seared Gulf Shrimp Scampi
Wild Mushrooms, Wilted Spinach, Pale
Cream Sherry,
Boursin Fondue, Butter Toasted French
Baguette
I'm pretty sure I shed a tear when I took the last bite of my shrimp scampi.
I was so sad to see it end.
- Entrée Course 3 -
Pan Seared Scottish Salmon
Roasted Fingerling Potatoes, Summer
Asparagus,
Smoked Bacon, Corn and White
Truffle Bisque
- Entrée Course 4 -
36 hr Braised Wagyu Beef Shortribs
Parsnip and Celery Root Puree,
Crispy Carrot Ribbons
Brian and Kris joined us for dinner. Seriously, these guys were a laugh a minute. I found myself thinking at the end of the evening, "I want you to be our friends!". Honestly, they fit in like we've known them, and been good friends, for years! We were laughing so hard our sides hurt!
Next was dessert...
- Dessert Course 5 -
White Chocolate
Panna Cotta
Hazelnut – Dark Chocolate Ganache,
Local Honey Macerated Berries,
Vanilla Crème Chantilly
It was at this point that the angels in heaven started singing.
What a great evening! I would recommend Chef Brian to ANYONE interested in hiring a chef for an evening or catering an event. He was incredible! And the kitchen was cleaner when he left then when he arrived!
Brian's contact information:
Brian Roland
And Kris and his wife own their own restaurant in North Naples. We haven't yet been but it's on our list of restaurants to go to in the very near future!
Kris
Trail Cafe & Grill
12820 Tamiami Trail North
Naples, FL 34110
KUDOS, Chefs, to a job well done!!
No comments:
Post a Comment