Need ideas for local Top Chef!

[themamafranco]

Hi Everyone! It's been a while and I've had to change my name because I can't remember my password..... or the password to the old hotmail account I was linked to!!

Anywho...... I've entered a local Top Chef contest for my Realtor's Association and am doing a Disney themed night. 6 courses and I've already decided on my soup course (Le Cellier's Cheddar Cheese) and salad course (The Brown Derby Cobb). Anyone have any thoughts on appetizer, entree, dessert? I would love to hear all of your ideas!!!

Thanks! The diser previously known as bunkkinsmom

 

[kastoney]

Sounds like a fun night, can I come ; )

For an appetizer maybe do a bread course of naan and several dips a la Sanaa or perhaps a California Grill style flatbread. For dessert I'd try and do either ooey gooey toffee cake from LTT or almond cheesecake from Narcoossee's.

 

[Live4theMagic]

What a great idea for a Top Chef theme! Here are my pics-
Appetizer: Via Napoli's arancini
Entrée: Flying Fish's Potato wrapped snapper & strip steak duo
Dessert: Narcoossee's almond cheesecake

 

[themamafranco]

Sounds like a fun night, can I come ; )

For an appetizer maybe do a bread course of naan and several dips a la Sanaa or perhaps a California Grill style flatbread. For dessert I'd try and do either ooey gooey toffee cake from LTT or almond cheesecake from Narcoossee's.

What a great idea for a Top Chef theme! Here are my pics-
Appetizer: Via Napoli's arancini
Entrée: Flying Fish's Potato wrapped snapper & strip steak duo
Dessert: Narcoossee's almond cheesecake

Love the naan idea! Maybe I could use that as a bread course too if I come up with a different appetizer. I was going to do
creme brûlée from Les Chefs, but Narcoosee's Almond Cheesecake sounds like something I can make ahead of time day before?
That may be much easier and still super delicious!

 

[themamafranco]

Side note: I would love to do a steak with Le Cellier's Mushroom Risotto, but we won't be cooking there, we have to bring
it to the venue, so I need something that travels well as an entree...... I could do risotto as the app maybe or as a side to
something else.....

 

[BuzzyBelle]

This sounds like so much fun! How about Ohana's bread pudding for dessert?

 

[CraigInPA]

I'd make the almond crusted cheesecake from Narcoossee's for dessert. I believe one of those "behind the scenes" tv programs went into detail about how it is made. As I recall, they make it in a cake pan, then use a cookie cutter to cut it out, then put the almond crust on it. How the almond crust was prepared, I've forgotten.

 

[themamafranco]

OOOOOH.... O'Hana bread pudding......... Raglan Road has a fantastic bread pudding as well!

 

[raddisneyfan]

Love the naan idea! Maybe I could use that as a bread course too if I come up with a different appetizer. I was going to do
creme brûlée from Les Chefs, but Narcoosee's Almond Cheesecake sounds like something I can make ahead of time day before?
That may be much easier and still super delicious!

A lot of restaurants in and outside of Disney have creme brulee--believe me, it's one of my favorites and I've had it lots. However, you want something special and the almond cheesecake from Narcoossee's certainly is that--this would be my choice. Although that said, maybe the grapefruit cake from the Brown Derby?

 

[a742246]

I would do the Kona's creme brulee with the chocolate strips for dessert!

 

[NOLA_Tink]

Are the judges true Disney fans? I'm wondering if they'll understand the references, if they've only been once or twice, or if you need to do things on a broader scale with actual Disney park emphasis- like a gourmet Mickey bar with a homemade gelato or ice cream with chocolate sauce coating.

 

[Harambe]

Appetizer - A la flamme Alsacienne from Les Chefs.

Of course, I agree with NOLA above, as far as if the judges realize these are Disney recipes, since it won't necessarily make for a cohesive menu! Tom Colicchio would bag you for a non-cohesive menu!! haha

 

[themamafranco]

It's more of a fund raiser than a judged event, so unless Tom Colicchio actually shows, I think I'll be ok! LOL!

 

[rsimon]

Side note: I would love to do a steak with Le Cellier's Mushroom Risotto, but we won't be cooking there, we have to bring
it to the venue, so I need something that travels well as an entree...... I could do risotto as the app maybe or as a side to
something else.....

I wouldn't do risotto unless you had a way to par cook it and then finish it right before service. If you keep it warm it will continue to cook and get very thick and become mush. I have done it many times where you par cook it and then just need to add some stock and the finishing items (butter or cheese if wanted) at the very end before service.

 

[TwoMisfits]

I wouldn't do risotto unless you had a way to par cook it and then finish it right before service. If you keep it warm it will continue to cook and get very thick and become mush. I have done it many times where you par cook it and then just need to add some stock and the finishing items (butter or cheese if wanted) at the very end before service.

So, the food needs to stay warm (or cold) after being cooked offsite. Then I agree with rsimon - no risotto. I would also encourage the cheesecake b/c it would "hold" better and it can be premade. Leaving 2 courses, I would do the chilled shrimp with citrus remoulade (from Narcoose's), and the Red-wine braised short ribs (from Citricos). Braised foods will be good even if they get slightly cool and transporting a chilled app should be easy.

And for the 6th, I'd do a bread service - whatever fresh bread and dips/butter you want to make to mimic any of the restaurants b/c this will also hold well.

 

[themamafranco]

So, the food needs to stay warm (or cold) after being cooked offsite. Then I agree with rsimon - no risotto. I would also encourage the cheesecake b/c it would "hold" better and it can be premade. Leaving 2 courses, I would do the chilled shrimp with citrus remoulade (from Narcoose's), and the Red-wine braised short ribs (from Citricos). Braised foods will be good even if they get slightly cool and transporting a chilled app should be easy.

And for the 6th, I'd do a bread service - whatever fresh bread and dips/butter you want to make to mimic any of the restaurants b/c this will also hold well.

OOOOH.. braised short ribs...... great idea!!!