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Food Royalty

By staff November 13, 2007

I’m inducted into La Chaine des Rotisseurs.

By Judi Gallagher

Last Sunday evening was a dream come true for a professional chef. Imagine a black- tie dinner, specifically designed for a gastronomic society, along with the fine company of those devoted to the world of eating and drinking. It was truly an honor to be inducted into the world’s oldest culinary society, La Chaine des Rotisseurs, which dates back to the 12^th century, along with chef Ryan Kelly and Aaron Radman of Roy’s restaurant at the Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota. The Who’s Who of members throughout the Southeast attended and toasted host Larry Krams for an outstanding weekend. Another toast to daughter Sherri, about to open C’est Cheese later this month (across from Rooms to Go), whose course of blue cheese with truffle honey won the applause of all the attendees. I promise to take my vow seriously and continue the pursuit of excellence (and consumption) of fine foods and wine.

Le Chaine Knights of Sarasota

I just had to put my new culinary mettle to the test by checking out the new menu items and décor at a Sarasota classic, the Bijou Café. Long known for its scrumptious roast duckling, the restaurant brings new flavor to the original preparation with a brioche bread pudding stuffing for the dinner menu. A new addition is the crepes canard, as an appetizer on the dinner menu and an entrée at lunchtime. The savory ragout with mushrooms and sweet peas made a perfect lunch selection after I enjoyed the new beet and chevre salad. One cannot go wrong with fine goat cheese and fresh roasted beets drizzled with an orange mint dressing, can one? While a new dessert missed its mark, I was pleased to see that the Bijou kept the old classic of crème brǔlée; theirs happens to be the best in town. The new dining room is comfortable with warm, soft art gallery look.

And for those of you with chocoholic friends—have I got the perfect gift store! Try Cupcakes A Go-Go. While the storefront is still in the building stages on Siesta Drive, you can go online to www.gocupcakes.com or call 941-355-6351 to get a delivery of chocolate and vanilla cupcakes adorned likes a box of roses, or even the Tiffany box bloom. While a diamond my not be in the center, there are certainly plenty of delicious cup cake ideas to make a friend smile with surprise.

My friend, TV newscaster Silke Rible , loves her cupcake.

Do you have a favorite food find for friends? Please post below!

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