February 24th, 2010
Local chefs to prepare a “Central Florida inspired” dinner at The Beard House
A few of Central Florida’s finest and best-known culinarians will be preparing dinner at The Beard House in New York City on Tuesday, June 22, 2010. The chef’s participating are Scott Copeland, Executive Chef at Antonio’s La Fiamma in Winter Park, Kevin Fonzo, Chef/Owner of K Restaurant in College Park, Jamie McFadden, Chef/Owner of Cuisiniers’ Catered Cuisine and Events in Winter Park, and Julie & James Petrakis, Chef/Owners of The Ravenous Pig in Winter Park. The group will be preparing a “Central Florida Inspired” dinner, with a menu theme indicative of the region.
The Beard House benefits the James Beard Foundation, known for its exceptional workshops, classes, conferences, readings, and other experiences that educate students in the culinary field. Scholarships are awarded to culinary students in financial need providing them the opportunity to pursue a career in the food and beverage industry. The James Beard Foundation Awards, which takes place annually in New York City, has been referred to as “the Oscars of the food world, ” by Time magazine. It’s a world renowned event that invites and celebrates the nation’s most prestigious culinary professionals - chefs, food and beverage professionals, broadcast media, journalists, authors, restaurant architects and designers are all invited and honored.
For more information, visit JamesBeard.org.
Check out the menu!
December 15th, 2009
You’re Invited to The Gallery at Interlachen Preview Parties
We invite you to join us at The Gallery at Interlachen Preview Parties, hosted by The Gallery at Interlachen and Cuisiniers’ Catered Cuisine and Events. Come experience all that the newest venue in Winter Park has to offer – fantastic artwork and great networking in an intimate setting.
Preview Parties will be held on Wednesday and Thursday, February 3rd and 4th starting at 5:00 pm. Wine and hors d’oeuvres will be provided by Cuisiniers’ Catered Cuisine and Events.
Gallery at Interlachen venue information:
- 1200 square feet of meeting space
- Complimentary parking
- On-site audio/visual equipped
- Optional food and beverage packages
The Gallery at Interlachen is exclusively catered by Cuisiniers Catered Cuisine and Events. For more information, contact us at 407.579.2219
The Gallery is located at:
5510 Lake Howell Road
“In the Interlachen Village”
Winter Park, FL 32792
December 7th, 2009
I had the opportunity of attending “A Night of Extreme Taste” last Friday, where more than 24 celebrity chefs were in attendance, creating some of their most famous dishes! While there, I had the pleasure of meeting one of this season’s Top Chef finalists, Michael Voltassio. Below is a picture of Michael, Chef Kevin Fonzo and myself.
It was truly a wonderful event for a meaningful cause. All proceeds from the benefit were donated to establish a fund for the education of the late Jerome Girardot’s children.
November 13th, 2009
Join Jamie at Orlando Food and Wine Festival this Saturday!
Come see Chef Jamie McFadden in action as he presents a live cooking demonstration at 4 p.m. at the Orlando Food and Wine Festival this Saturday, November 14th.
This weekend marks the annual festival brought to by WLOQ 103.1, Orlando Home & Leisure Magazine, and the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association. The festival is being held on Robinson Street, overlooking Lake Eola in downtown Orlando. With over 35 of Orlando’s top restaurants in attendance, guests will celebrate great food, great wine, and live entertainment by national recording artists.
Remember, Jamie will take the Chef’s Stage at 4 p.m., so don’t be late. We look forward to seeing you there!
October 30th, 2009
The Jerome Girardot Fund, a non-profit established to celebrate the masterful and creative chef, Jerome Girardot, is hosting an event on December 3rd at the Ritz-Carlton in Orlando. It will be an evening of delicious food and fine wine, not to mention, appearances by 24 celebrity chefs who will recreate their most famous dishes. Every guest will receive a gift of chocolate truffles, made by the industry’s most renowned chocolatiers. All of the proceeds from this event will establish a school fund for the late Jerome Girardot’s children.
Click here to purchase your tickets and support a great cause: http://www.jeromegirardotfund.com/wp/news.
October 9th, 2009
Pictures were provided by:
Distinct Concept | Roozbeh Meghdadi
(407) 409-8512
www.distinctconcept.com
August 5th, 2009
I had the incredible opportunity a few weeks ago to offer a tasting of my own culinary creation at the 7th Annual Food and Wine Celebration, a benefit for Veggie U. Veggie U is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving children’s eating habits in and out of the classroom. The program includes curriculum specific for 4th graders, a class DVD and continuous support as they introduce their classes to the plant growth process and basic nutrition guidelines.
Along side over fifty nationally renowned chef’s from across the nation including Chef Paula DaSilva of Hell’s Kitchen, Bravo’s Top Chef Contestant and Producer Lee Ann Wong, and Food Network’s Chopped winner Chef James Briscione, I served up Stilton Bread Pudding with Petite Wild Rhubarb, Upland Cress and Vanilla Grass “Salad” to over 1100 attendees. Tickets went for $100-$145 per person with all profits going to pay for Veggie U “Earth to Table” science kits provided to 4th grade classrooms in 25 states.
On a personal note, I’m hoping to sponsor a few classrooms in Orange and Seminole Counties this year. The easiest way to initiate these programs is from the teacher level. If anyone out there is a 4th grade teacher (or knows one in the Orlando area), please contact me so we can sponsor their “Veggie U” curriculum.
Learn more at veggieu.com, and of course, Entertain Deliciously!
July 22nd, 2009
I recently took a trip to the Central Coast of California. It was an amazing adventure filled with delicious food and wine. Below is my itinerary for the trip, along with some recommendations for the best places to eat and what to order! Enjoy!
Day 1:
- Arrive at LAX: After renting a car I headed north to Santa Barbara where I checked into the Hotel Oceana Santa Barbara Ocean Front Resort
- Had lunch at an incredible fresh, Mexican restaurant, Romanti Ezer. Definitely try the chips and guacamole!
- After lunch, we took an incredible scenic bike ride around town (many rental locations are available)
- Dinner at The Hungry Cat. This place had the most amazing seafood/raw bar and not to mention great cocktails. You have to try the sea urchin, locally raised abalone, and one of their many unique cocktails.
Day 2:
- Lunch, poolside, at the Bacara Resort. This place had an amazing view overlooking the Pacific and also a very creative menu.
- Next on the agenda for today, kayaking in the Pacific at sunset with the Santa Barbara Adventure Company. This is a must do when you visit Santa Barbara! I saw sea lions, dolphins, and not to mention an amazing sunset; it was terrific!
- Late dinner at Blue Agave. They had great tapas and an astonishing tequila selection.
Day 3:
- Arrive in Paso Robles just in time for lunch at Thomas Hill Organics. I had the tasty roasted beet with a Humboldt cheese “salad”. This establishment also had a vast wood oven pizza and wine selection.
- Next was a private tour of Clayhouse Vineyards followed by a delightful tasting in their new tasting room on the square in Paso.
- Checked into the Hotel Cheval, a boutique in the hear of downtown Paso. The accommodations were superb and included a relaxing courtyard, fire pits, and a neighborhood pub.
- Dinner was at Artisan. I highly recommend the Cayucos Red Abalone “BLTA” – it is an absolute must have! Don’t forget to save room for the Veal Strip loin, it’s delish!
Day 4:
- Picked up a picnic basket at 15 Degrees C, a great little wine shop that has a very creative sandwich and charcuterie selection.
- Dinner at Villa Creek. All local and all organic, they also produce wines under the same name. Make sure to try the charcuterie plate!
- Booked a room for the night at the new SLS Hotel Beverly Hills before departing from LAX. This place is very, very cool!
Day 5:
- While you’re at the SLS, treat yourself to lunch at Spago; request a table on the patio and definitely order the lobster club on walnut bread!
- Another great place to indulge is at Jose Andres’ new restaurant The Bazaar. Remember to book early though because it is located in the SLS. It is one of the most uniquely designed restaurants I have ever visited. Request a seat at one of the “Food Bars” and enjoy an evening of Tapas with a new twist. My favorites include the Japanese Taco, the organized Caesar, the California Cone, the Philly Cheesecake, and the classical Bunuelos.
A Few Great Wineries
- Tablas Creek: really great folks at this beautiful estate. They do an amazing job with Rhone varietals. Definitely grab a couple bottles of Roussane Red Soles Vineyard. It’s a fun find, and they produce a wonderful Petite Sirah.
- Denner Vineyards: wait until you see this beautiful estate! A great picnic spot. Make sure to pick up a couple bottles of their Viognier and Mourvedre.
Check out pictures from my trip by clicking here!
