8.02.2009

calgary chefs have a potluck & how to make your own cheese

smokin saugages What do chefs do on their day off? Like say, on the Sunday of a long weekend? Perhaps it's time for family, or maybe a chance for friends. Sometimes, it's a bit of both. Today, they made time for each other, a Calgary chef's potluck lunch. Hope you brought an enormous appetite, because when it's a chefs potluck with sausages in the smoker, and goats, yes live goats, in the back, you know it's going to be good. Although, honestly, this is just a small taste of the abundance of exceptionally prepared food there was to enjoy. Chef Andrew Keen, Executive Chef of the Tribune Restaurant and Bar, as well as ParkerHouse Grill and Wine Bar, had everyone chanting, "lamb prepared in the style of prosciutto". A little salty, and a little bit sweet. Delightfully delicious. lamb prosciutto There were juicy chickens on the spit, with an incredible perfume. chickens on the spit Chickens going down the slide. chickens off the spit Chef Heather Gould-Hawke of District, preparing the chickens for the platter. chicken preparation Chickens ready to eat; juicy, and flavourful. spit-roasted chicken I should probably mention that there was no shortage of meat. yummy meat It was a barbeque, after all. links There were wings. wings Salmon was not left overlooked, however. salmon What is a barbeque without potato salad? extraordinary potato salad I told you there were carbs. pasta stacked This is just scratching the surface. There were also panini on the grill, braised short ribs, a variety of sausages, fusilli, beautiful breads, grissini (breadsticks), vegetable terrines, oysters, platters of gigantic shrimp, keftedes (fried meatballs), curried chicken, lemonade, iced coffee, and even more. It goes without saying that there were desserts. There were desserts with berries. berry goodness There was pie. pie And creamier than cream itself, ice cream. manuel's ice cream There was a goat petting zoo for the kiddies, but it was to be more than that. goats! If you live in Calgary, and haven't yet heard of Charcut, I'm fairly sure you will be hearing a lot about it very soon. It seems to be the talk of the town. Charcut is to be a "roast house", opening in December 2009 on Centre Street and 9th Avenue, in the new Le Germain, Hotel Residence. Originally from Calgary, owners and Chefs Connie DeSousa and John Jackson have returned to create a locally sustainable, albeit profound eating experience. The ownership also includes Service Director Jean Francois Beeroo, and Carrie Jackson, to complete the biographical dream team. The goats were milked, and then Chef Connie DeSousa, of Charcut, gave a lesson in cheese-making. The milk needs to be heated to 175 degrees Fahrenheit, and then vinegar is added. This is an overview, with some useful tips. Discussion around ultra-pasteurization, and pasteurization, followed by more cheese-making tips. I am eager to try this process, particularly with a variety of vinegars, and I will most definitely keep you posted. All in all, a very enjoyable event with representation (and dishes!) served by Chefs or had involvement from District, ParkerHouse/Tribune, Wildwood, Divino, Fresh Kitchen, Highwood Crossing Farms, Charcut, Bears Den, Sorrentino's, Manuel Latruwe, Caffe Umbria, and Bite Groceteria - just to mention a few - there were more to be sure, and I'm surely leaving some out, but certainly not on purpose. Can I be excused if I was too busy eating?

16 comments:

Jenn said...

Oy vey!! That food. I want some right now. Just the selection alone. I'd be standing there all day just trying to decide what to try first. No I'm hungry again!!! LOL.

Miranda said...

First of the pics are incredible!!!
I wish I was there!!!

The potato salad looks to die for!! WOW!

Julie said...

WOW. I am officially jealous!!

H.Peter said...

I've been watching them on Facebook for a while now and yes, they do bring some (cooking) pedigree to the local scene.

Sam@BingeNYC said...

Am I odd for thinking that picture of chicken on a spit is just pretty enough to frame? Gorgeous photos, you are making me hungry!

s. stockwell said...

Thank you for taking us along! Great photos and just seeing all that meat has given us extreme anxiety...we are doing Gweneth Paltro's cleanse diet. maybe we will bar-be in 2 weeks? we always love your posts. best from Montecito, California. s

figtree said...

What a feast! That potato salad looks INSANE! Loved the post. Figtreeapps

Shelby said...

Great post! The food looks so delicious!

Cajun Chef Ryan said...

Wonderful photo log of the event, I just want to grab a portion of everything.

Thanks,
CCR =:~)

Jessie said...

all of that food looks appetizing, I love the photos too I felt like I was there with you, I'm really loving the photo of the ice cream, I'm such an ice cream fanatic

Cheryl Arkison said...

I am so hungry now. What a welcome home from Italy!

Pamela Irving said...

What a yum event! Drool, saliva, and more of the same. Glad to discover CHARCUT and chef John Jackson and team for my new column-Rediscovering Country in County Market launching August 26, 2009 at www.countymarket.ca Follow us on farm tours in September leading up to the opening of CHARCUT in December.

Global Patriot said...

A true celebration of food, which is how we should think of it...felt like I was standing there, except for the fact that I couldn't eat the pictures!

Elsie Hui said...

Oh wow! Great post! :) I have to find food now!!

xl pharmacy said...

Looks so delicious, I love meat and specially in BBQs, Excellent post.

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