By Liz Balmaseda | Feast Palm Beach | November 30, 2011
Buccan’s executive chef Clay Conley shows off his culinary skills on day four of the Palm Beach Food & Wine Fest. (Taylor Jones/The Palm Beach Post)
WHAT’S COOKIN’?
Tickets are selling quickly for the newly expanded Palm Beach Food & Wine Festival, which celebrates its fifth year with five big nights of culinary happenings, Dec. 9-13, in the company of some of the country’s top chefs.
Here’s the rundown of events — and a glimpse at the menus:
DAY ONE
Beach Bash with Chef Michael Schwartz
Friday, Dec. 9, 7 p.m., at the Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach, 2800 S. Ocean Blvd.
Schwartz cooks up the elegant oceanfront kick-off dinner with the Four Seasons’ executive chef, Darryl Moiles.
THE MENU
Hors d’oeuvres: Raw gulf oysters with green apple-scallion relish, black orecchiette with Florida rock shrimp, chorizo, toasted chilies, and lemon zest; crispy sweet-and-spicy pork belly with kimchi and crushed peanuts.
Dinner: Whole roasted Florida Keys snapper with chilled cucumbers, mango, papaya, cilantro, mint, and crispy plantains; marinated and braised imperial wagyu beef cheeks with boniato sweet potato, caramelized shallots, and arugula; char-grilled leg of lamb with greek farro salad, french feta, and salsa verde.
Dessert: White chocolate moon pies; dark chocolate–cashew toffee with black sea salt; winter spiced pear push pops; and milk chocolate cremoso.
Host chef Jeff Simms of The Breakers and his guest chefs whip up a tribute feast for festival honorary chair John Mariani, Esquire magazine’s food and travel correspondent. Kitchen stars include James Beard Award winners David Burke (David Burke Townhouse, New York City), Scott Conant (Scarpetta, Miami Beach) and Michael Schwartz (Michael’s Genuine, Miami), along with John DeLucie (The Lion, New York City).
DAY THREE
Cocktail Culture with Daniel
Sunday, Dec. 11, 5 p.m., at Café Boulud at the Brazilian Court, Palm Beach, 301 Australian Ave.
Michelin-starred chef Daniel Boulud creates a cocktail menu inspired by his new book, Daniel Boulud Cocktails & Amuse-Bouches for Her & For Him.
DAY FOUR
Beard Down South
Monday, Dec. 12, 7 p.m., at Buccan, 350 South County Rd., Palm Beach.
Buccan executive chef Clay Conley brings together a stellar crew of chefs that include Stephen Stryjewski (Cochon, New Orleans), this year’s James Beard Award winner for Best Chef South, and James Beard semifinalists Dean James Max (3800 Ocean, Singer Island) and James and Julie Petrakis (The Ravenous Pig, Winter Park).
DAY FIVE
Fifth Annual Grand Tasting
Tuesday, Dec. 13, 7 p.m., at 150 Worth Avenue, Palm Beach
The festival’s grand finale showcases a mega-tasting of local and visiting chef specialties. Kitchen stars include chefs Michelle Bernstein, Allen Susser and Scott Conant. Conant also will judge the evening’s main event, a chefs’ throw-down a la Chopped, the Food Network competition for which he is a regular judge. The evening’s host is TV culinary personality Ingrid Hoffmann.
PALM BEACH FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL
TICKETS: Call (561) 389-1222 or visit the festival website at www.pbfwf.com.For a ride in one of our luxurious vehicles with one of our professional chauffeurs, call and ask for one of our customer service representatives and ask for this special event rate.