Most of you know me pretty well by now. You know that I love Dr. Pepper, Jack Daniel's, Ramen Noodles and that I could never have enough BBQ. mmmmm Dr. Pepper and Jack Daniel's = The Dr. Feel Good You know that I love the art of food and the playful attitude I usually take when it comes to creating new dishes. But, you guys may not know about my appreciation for fine dining. I am classically French trained and have a complete love for fine dining and elegance when it comes to food. Cooking at Caliza The awesome people at the Viking Company www.VikingRange.com invited me to cater one of the 15 private events for the Destin Charity Wine Auction. Aside from being an absolute honor, it was a great chance for me to explore one of the most beautiful parts of cuisine and eating: Fine Dining. Ginger Poussin I created a menu unlike almost anything you all see on "Food, Drinks, and Rock n' Roll" and had a chance to show a completely different side of my culinary personality. Caliza Pool at Alys Beach Destin, FL I did 5 courses at Caliza Pool at Alys Beach Resort (imagine a miniature paradise setting with delicate curtains blowing in the ocean air, candle light, amazing wine from Martinelli Winery http://martinelliwinery.com/ beautiful dresses and suits with a spectacular menu to tease the taste buds.) I called my dinner "A Palate Party by Chef Nathan Lippy- 5 courses to play with your mouth" I articulated individual flavors and tastes with each course. Quail Egg Scramble with Chorizo and Fresh Tomatoes I isolated salty and bitter, sweet and savory, hot and cold, crunchy and soft... all the things your palate appreciates subliminally. Destin Charity Wine Auction Menu This is a picture of the menu. The second dish was my favorite. The fish was pan seared ever so delicately, the skin was crispy and savory and the salad was chilled and sweet. I dehydrated fresh lime zest and pulverized it into dust. Baby Barramundi with Jicama Green Apple Salad The aroma of the lime dust was incredible, almost like a potent lime Jolly Rancher, but the flavor was a wonderfully bitter note that made the sweet of the salad so much sweeter and it made the savory of the fish way more intense. Cookin' in Destin The Destin Charity Wine Auction is an event that raises money to help the children of the Emerald Coast. http://www.dcwaf.org/about/ My party alone was able to raise $30,000! It's a strange thing that happens when what you love to do (for me its food in general) becomes something so beneficial to others. It truly is the ultimate WIN-WIN scenario. I had a wonderful time exploring a different facet of my craft and the event was a huge success. I hope to do alot more stuff like this. I'll talk atcha later,

Nater

If any of you would like to become a sponsor for the Destin Charity Wine Auction follow the link below for more information.
http://www.dcwaf.org/involved/sponsor.php

The photographer for these photos is Ashley Livingston check out her stuff at www.ashleylivingstonphoto.com