It’s very rare that I make it down to the deep SoCal area, but during the middle of August I decided to step out of my comfort zone and head just outside of San Diego to Harrah’s Resort and Casino in Valley Center, California, where I was invited to Culinary Couture, an event – produced from the brainchild of Allison Andrews – at which a decadent seven-course meal prepared by the hotel’s executive chef Jon Palsson was served based on dishes (and drink pairings) from some of the most fashion-forward cities around the world, ranging from New York and London, to Paris and Shanghai. The event was a lead-up to October’s Fashion Week San Diego. As each course was presented, guests were given some insight on the latest style trends from each of the included cities. It was a fun night because not only did I get a chance to make whole new group of San Diego pals, but I got to take one of my best friends Sheryl along as my guest, so we made it a little ladies bonding night. See ya again soon, SD!
Our fun table centerpiece
Shanghai – Bamboo steamer baskets: Accompanied by Char Siu pork belly, pork shumai, steamed savoy cabbage, soy reduction, lime & chili cashews and sesame seeds
San Diego – California Pacific Halibut Tartar, accompanied with local Haas avocado, blue corn tortilla chips, meyer lemon supreme, cilantro oil, compressed melon and Temecula honey onion
Florence – Vegetable pyramid ravioli: Accompanied by steamed Prince Edward Island mussels, steamed baby spinach & smoked crows pass San Marzano tomato broth
New York – American Wagyu New York strip: Steak, accompanied by chive potato cake, baby vegetable bundle, red wine glace and shaved fresh summer truffles
Sao Paulo – Tropical fruit soup: accompanied by fresh coconut & guava nitrogen ice cream, rainforest crunch and frozen ruby red grapefruit granules
London – Duo of English cheese: accompanied by cornichons, fig jam, caper berries and toasted lavash
Sheryl and I took a moment out of our meal to take a little snapshot together
