Four chefs who have helped shape the culinary landscape in Southern California during the past 25 years will come together on Wednesday for the Summit of the Chefs.
The event is a rare culinary event being held at the acclaimed Anaheim White House. The evening begins at 6:30 p.m. with cocktails, followed by a chefs’ showcase multi-course prix fixe dinner at 7 p.m.
The culinary experts cooking for the evening include chef Pierre Sauvaget of the Bel-Air Bay Club, chef Francis Perrot of the Fairbanks Ranch Country Club in San Diego, chef Jean Pierre Dubray, executive chef of the Ritz-Carlton San Francisco, and Bruno Serato, chef and owner of the Anaheim White House.
Each chef will create signature dishes for the meal. Rounding out the affair will be a dessert that’s enjoyed national press created in honor of the occasion by Anaheim White House executive chef Eddie Meza.
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Anaheim White House in winter: celebrating influential chefs |
The honorary maitre d’ for the evening will be Bruno’s mentor and restaurant industry luminary Louis Laulhere, owner of the famed La Vie En Rose restaurant in Brea.
Bruno has been friends and colleagues with these chefs for 25 years and it should be high fun and haute cuisine on May 3 when they will all be showing off their best culinary creations.
As a bit of background, Pierre Sauvaget came to prominence in America as a renowned chef from France who was a good friend of Michel Richard, the celebrated owner of L.A.’s former Citrus restaurant and culinary visionary behind the Citronelle restaurants. Pierre is perhaps best known for creating an innovative style known as “clean palate cuisine” that is derived from the Reiki healing philosophy.
Chef Francis Perrot also was born and raised in France and has been overseeing the award-winning food at the famed private Fairbanks Ranch Country Club in San Diego for several years.
Perrot is internationally known for his French cuisine and has led the kitchens in numerous four- and five-star establishments across the nation.
Chef Jean-Pierre Dubray has the closest connection of the three to Orange County. Raised with preliminary culinary training in France’s Loire Valley region, Dubray was hired as sous chef in 1980 at one of my all-time favorite restaurants, La Vie en Rose.
Jean-Pierre eventually segued to the Ritz-Carlton chain responsible as executive chef for many of their openings: here in Laguna Niguel, then in Rancho Mirage and finally in San Francisco. He’s been responsible for helping open 11 other Ritz-Carlton hotels in Osaka, Shanghai, Seoul, Barcelona and Singapore.
Bruno and his chef, Eddie, have gained nationwide recognition and some global notice as well for the very up-to-date Italian and French cuisine that is reflected here.
The chefs have collaborated in selecting the wines to match each dinner course. Otherwise, the wine list at Anaheim White House is filled with labels to keep you happy.
Remember to call for a reservation: (714) 772-1381. Anaheim White House: 887 South Anaheim Blvd., Anaheim. The price of the evening is $85 per person (food only) or $125 per person with wine,tax and tip not included.
Tips From Africa
Mozambique in Laguna Beach pushes my happy dining buttons.
The South African-themed restaurant brought us the likeable combination of spices called peri-peri that are indigenous to the country of Mozambique and which enhance many of the dishes.
Among the dishes I’ve written about are the Durban lamb curry, charred ahi tuna, roasted double-cut pork chops, mixed grill, giant prawns sprinkled with peri-peri spices, as well as prime beef offerings such as the 18-ounce bone-in rib eye.
There’s another reason to stop by Mozambique on three upcoming Saturdays.
Chef Alfonso Contrisciani, whose personality you are sure to like, is sharing some of his cooking techniques and recipes via cooking demos. At the end of each demo, those attending will take home a DVD of what’s been taught that day.
All classes take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Cooking with Mom is set for Saturday, May 6. It will concentrate on showing mom all the wonderful ways to dress up that chicken. Several easy chicken preparations will be taught, along with sauces and accompaniments to go with them.
On Saturday, May 20, the class is BBQ Secrets. The chef will teach the art of grilling and the differences between gas, hardwood and charcoal grilling. Among the culinary treats, you will learn how to make several marinades and seasoning blends to spruce up your back yard grill.
Cooking Light is on the Saturday, June 3 agenda. The chef will demonstrate several alternative cooking methods to classic high calorie favorites, teaching you how to prepare popular dishes like fettuccine Alfredo, with only a third of the fat and calories, that still taste great.
Classes cost $60 and reservations are needed. Call the restaurant at (949) 715-7100 or e-mail your reservation to RSVP@mozambiqueoc.com.
Mozambique is at 1740 S. Pacific Coast Highway, Laguna Beach.
Summer by the Sea
The Back Bay Cafe at Newport Dunes has launched expanded summer dining hours as well as new menu items.
This destination is quite popular as a year round dining destination with both locals and tourists.
The cafe features dining overlooking the tranquil waters of Newport Bay.
The new seasonal hours offer breakfast and lunch Mondays through Wednesdays from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and breakfast, lunch and dinner Thursdays through Sundays from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
New dishes include imported Haloumi cheese from Cyprus that is lightly seasoned, grilled and served with fresh charbroiled pita bread; Venetian salad tossed with grilled chicken, shrimp and mozzarella cheese and drizzled with herb vinaigrette dressing; charbroiled swordfish served over fresh linguini and spinach; pasta tossed with tender beef medallions; and a prime grade 12-ounce rib-eye steak.
Other popular items on the menu are mango chicken, halibut crusted with macadamia nuts, crab-stuffed salmon and roasted prime ribs of beef.
In addition, a selection of fine wines is available both by the bottle and the glass as well as premium domestic and imported beers.
Every kind of breakfast is available, topping out at $9.95. Lunch entrees including salads, sandwiches, burgers and several full-fledged dishes are priced from $8.25 to $12.95. Dinner entrees are $9 to $28.95.
The cafe has a full bar and offers happy hour food and drink specials from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Specialties include the Back Bay nachos, sizzling fajitas, fish and chicken tacos and hot-and-spicy buffalo wings.
Back Bay Cafe: 1131 Back Bay Drive, Newport Beach, phone (949) 729-1144.
Italy Meets France
Quattro Caff & #233;, the contemporary, Armani-inspired eatery at South Coast Plaza, will host two evenings of Vintage French Champagne Tasting featuring tastes from some of France’s most prestigious champagne houses.
The dates and times are Thursday, May 11 and Friday, May 12, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Guests will receive five two-ounce pours of champagnes ranging from 1985 to 1996.
Selections include Charles Heidsieck Champagne Charlie Mill & #233;sim & #233; and Heidsieck’s Blanc des Mill & #233;naires Blanc de Blanc Mill & #233;sim & #233;, Taittinger’s Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs, Deutz Cuv & #233;e William Deutz Mill & #233;sim & #233; and Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin La Grande Dame.
Of particular interest, and a fitting tie-in with an Italian cafe pouring rare French champagnes, is the Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame 1996 with couture by Emilio Pucci.
The bottle features an exclusive “Caprice” design in the signature Pucci color pattern that is repeated on the label, in a sleek insulated thermo-compressed foam “Caprice” dress and in a uniquely designed Pucci drawstring pouch.
La Grande Dame, Veuve Clicquot’s most exclusive champagne, was rated 95 by Wine Spectator magazine for the ’96 vintage.
The blend,64% pinot noir and 36% chardonnay,is a golden color with hints of green, and has a powerful aroma with notes of citrus, peaches, and hazelnut, and subtle scents of honey, biscuit and spiced bread.
The taste is described as ample and silky with a dynamic finish typical of the 1996 vintage. This limited edition will be available to buy at Quattro Caff & #233; the evenings of the tasting.
Price for this exclusive tasting is $39, excluding tax and tip.
Reservations: (714) 754-0300. Quatto Caf & #233; is on the lower level of South Coast Plaza between the Carousel and the Jewel Court.
