Scenes from “Worlds of Flavor 2013” at the CIA in St. Helena
A mosaic of squid draped over a warm potato puree gets the smoke treatment from Chef Raul Sillero of El Cellar de Can Roca.
Last week brought together culinary superstars from all over the globe to the annual “Worlds of Flavor” conference at the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in St. Helena.
We’re talking everyone from Thomas Keller of the French Laundry to Maxime Bilet, co-author of “Modernist Cuisine” to Josep Roca of El Celler de Can Roca in Spain — all there to discuss and demonstrate how technology and travel have combined to create “Kitchens Connected,” the theme of this year’s event.
Here were some of my favorite moments of the conference:
* Nathan Myhrvold, former chief technology officer for Microsoft who wrote “Modernist Cuisine,” talking about how you shouldn’t be afraid to try things that haven’t been done before. To wit, he recounted how at dinner the night before with winemaker Gina Gallo, he proceeded to add salt to the wines she had donated, much to her horror. His reasoning — we salt almost everything else we consume, so why not wine? His conclusion: It actually worked well in the Chardonnay.
* The passionate presentation by Claus Meyer, co-founder of renowned Noma restaurant in Copenhagen, who talked about his idea to try to stem the recidivism rate among convicts by teaching them how to cook. More than that, the brash Meyer even made a bet that he could get a group of inmates to cook the equivalent of a Michelin one-star meal in less than two months. He succeeded — so well, in fact, that his cooking program is now operating in three prisons.
* Roca and his two brothers may operate a Michelin three-star modernist cuisine restaurant that was named Restaurant Magazine’s No. 1 restaurant in its world’s best list in 2013. But he and his brothers — and their staff — eat every day at the humble bar and restaurant owned by his parents.
* Chef Kimberly Tran, who prepares food for the kids in the childcare program at Google, talking refreshingly about how she wants the food to be identifiable to them so that “broccoli looks like broccoli, and isn’t smothered in cheese.” In that way, she’s managed to educate not only the kids but their parents about simple ways to prepare seasonal produce that kids will actually like to eat.
An inspirational board to which attendees could add their own comments.
Stuart Brioza of State Bird Provisions in San Francisco showcased his idea of dim sum.
Brioza’s beefsteak tartare with fermented turnips and fried quinoa.
Brioza’s yuba with spicy kimchi and his house-made smoked, cured chicken egg “bottarga.”
Chef Carl Kristian Frederiksen of Aamanns-Copenhagen talks about New Nordic cuisine.
His porridge of cracked oats with Krondill cheese, duck hearts, duck liver, apple and sea buckthorn.
What is sea buckthorn? A berry-like fruit that’s juicy, tart and high in Vitamin C.
Frederiksen’s charred winter leeks with malt powder and ash-like crackers.
Andre Chiang of Restaurant Andre in Singapore adds the finishing touches to smoked potato and scallop fondue pops.
Bouchon’s Bavarian cream mousse infused with sunchoke with orange gelee.
Chef Christopher Kostow of the Restaurant at Meadowood getting a helping hand.
Kostow’s rutagaba baked in a salt crust.
Chef Cortney Burns of Bar Tartine dishing up incredible smoked potatoes with black garlic vinaigrette and fermented ramp mayo.
Boy, was the line ever long for the food by Chef Edward Lee of 610 Magnolia restaurant and “Top Chef” fame.
But who could pass up Lee’s adobo fried chicken with waffle?
Exquisite Japanese mackerel and miso-marinated seared Japanese Wagyu sushi by Chef Andy Matsuda.
A clever xiao-long bao with black vinegar and chili sauce syringe by Chefs David Bass and Paul Fiorentino.
What a creative spread! Looks like a fun and innovative event. Ed Lee looks so different than when he was on TV?
Oooh, the xiao long bao and adobo chicken are calling for me…. 🙂
what a great event! This looks so stimulating, not to mention loads of fun. Love the pictures – thanks for a great report.
Ben: Well, it’s a slightly blurry photo because of the low-light situation. But he actually does look like he does on TV — at least I think so. 😉
Everything looks amazing.
Isn’t it interesting to see what these chefs come up from all the corners of the globe. And I’m with the broccoli that looks like broccoli concept (I happen to love the stuff :P).