January 10, 2010 - FireLake grill house & cocktail bar,
"Flavor of the Flame" & Young Chef Awards Dinner
Photography courtesy of Veronique Viardin
Awards Dinner
"Flavor of the Flame" at FireLake Grill House & Cocktail Bar
by Ecuyer Stephane Cattelin
(L to R) Vice Chargée de Missions Amanda Bové Sill,
first-place winning Young Chef Maria Lodyguina and
Bailli Carl BlanzVice Chargée de Missions Amanda Bové Sill once again skillfully executed this years Young Chef’s Competition (see Competition). After a long day prior at Le Cordon Bleu the students, judges and guests were ready to have revealed the winner of the local competition. Having a record number of participants and some amazing talent this year, the competitors significantly raised the bar which made it a difficult judging task. Chef judges Maître Rôtisseur Michael Goodman, Chef Rôtisseur William Niemer and Bailli Carl Blanz highlighted the merits of Maria Lodyguina our first place winner from the Minneapolis Club alongside congratulating all contestants for a particularly good spirit displayed in the kitchen throughout the competition, a devotion to preserving camaraderie and pleasure of the table while promoting excellence in hospitality arts. Maria is excited to compete in the Regional competition, also held in Minneapolis.
Chef Rôtisseur Paul Lynch and Staff
Chef Rôtisseur Paul Lynch and his team were equally devoted to excellence throughout the evening, allowing us to savor the flavor of the flame at all times on this arctic cold Minnesota January evening. From walleye gravlax appetizers, lake char and goose entrees Chef Lynch had honored all the traditions of old French rotisserie. Finalizing the menu with main courses such as a savory goose dish and juicy Elk chops, our evening had come to an end with a scrumptious trio of desserts.
We had a great opportunity at this dinner to pair favorites out of the cellar such as Chablis Maligny 2006, Vosne Romanee Gros 1997 and Chateau Pichon Lalanade 1997. The evening was a perfect kickoff to the year 2010 amongst friends and in a warm environment on such a cold evening; Minnesotans may now feel compelled to the “power” of the flame!
