Saving The Best For Last originally published on Food and Fond Memories on September 1, 2010 by sandyaxelrod Leave a Comment (Edit)
Saving The Best For Last
John Besh and Me
It’s always fantastic when the last day of a vacation is the best one. And that was definitely the case on this trip to New Orleans. In anticipation of the 19th Annual New Orleans Wine and Food Experience Grand Tasting event at the Superdome we ate a very light breakfast and then took the short drive to the home of the 2010 Super Bowl Champions the New Orleans Saints. I was particularly excited to be seeing celebrity chefs Aaron Sanchez, John Besh and Paula Deen, but beyond that Steve and I really had no idea what to expect. We entered the Superdome with great expectations and we were not disappointed. Immediately we were given the schedule for the day’s demonstrations, a plate with a recess for a wine glass and a wine glass with the event logo and date etched on it. There was booth upon booth of wineries and restaurants spiraling the Superdome floor peppered with high-top tables for attendees to put down their samples. With 75 celebrated local and visiting chefs and hundreds of wineries present it was a pleasure to be able to actually taste the food and wine without having to juggle it all. We perused the booths briefly because the first demonstration was about to begin. Food Network Star Aaron Sanchez prepared Skirt Steak with Chimichurri Sauce. He was adorable to watch and very informative. Steve took lots of pictures but got a little hungry and strolled over to the food and wine booths to nibble until the demo was over. We patiently waited our turn to get a sample of Chef Sanchez’s food which was delicious. The Chimichurri was so flavorful; it was garlicky and herbaceous. By the time we finished our sample Aaron Sanchez was available for pictures and a brief chat. I remember seeing him recently on an old episode of Boy Meets Grill with Bobby Flay. He was very young and unknown. It was really cute how he seemed to look to Bobby as his mentor. The day we met him he was so much more polished and self assured (but still very cute).
From Left: John Besh, Michael, Paula Deen and Bubba Deen
John Besh and Paula Deen Cooking Together
Aron Sanchez Telling Everyone About Chimichurri
Chef Aaron Sanchez and Me
It’s funny how sometimes you don’t realize you are starving until you have a little taste of something. After our delicious taste of South America we were ready to devour everything in sight. We had so much food and wine that we were woozy! The highlight for both of us was the Swordfish with Fava Bean Pesto by Chef Susan Spicer of Bayona. We usually go to Bayona when we are in New Orleans but this time we couldn’t because of all the events related to the Wine and Food Experience so we were pleased to have a small bite of her always delicious food. We managed to stagger over to the kitchen stage just in time to meet and talk with John Besh before he went on stage to cook with Paula Deen. He was so personable. I told him that I was a retired chef and that I write this blog and about the cookbooks that I am writing. He asked if I did all of the cooking at home. To that I replied that I do but that Steve and I have a great arrangement. I cook and he cleans up. John wanted to know how I managed that one. He said his “wife expects him to cook AND clean up and you know we chefs do not like to clean up!!!” Amen to that. Chef Besh was called on stage and then he introduced Paula Deen who flew in just for the demonstration along with her husband Michael and her brother Bubba. The Besh/Deen team made shrimp and grits but the entertainment wasn’t the food it was the banter between Paula and John and Paula and the audience. I just love to listen to her she always puts a smile on my face. We can’t wait for next years event so that we can “See, Swirl, Smell, Sip and Savor” all over again!
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