Great palates gather to celebrate French gastronomy
Chef Patrick Beach never met Auguste Escoffier, revered as the "the king of chefs, the chef of kings," yet he dined with him just the other night.
So to speak.
Beach, director of the culinary program at Harper College in Palatine, was one of 99 guests at the annual Les Amis d'Escoffier dinner at the Hyatt Regency Woodfield in Schaumburg; the 100th place was held open for Escoffier's spirit.
It is in his spirit that the exclusive society of culinarians gathers each year to celebrate and protect the traditions of French cuisine and fine dining and welcome new members into its fold.
"I count myself very fortunate to be recognized by these folks," said Beach who has been on the Harper faculty since 1991. "I believe in trying to model what I share with my students; it's important to students to see people doing extra, being associated with other fine achievers."
The meal, an eight-course feast that included foie gras with blueberry compote, Chai tea sorbet and beef tenderloin served alongside braised oxtail, was prepared by rising star Hagop Hagopian, executive chef at the Hyatt Regency Woodfield. Hagopian, coincidently, is one of Beach's former students and teaches part-time at Harper.
"He's a finer chef than I'll ever be," Beach said. "Many of my students have gone far; I'll sit back and enjoy."
"There's some pressure, sure," Hagopian said of the meal. "There are a lot of trained palates there."
The evening's finale, rosemary-infused chocolate mousse, was created by Alain Roby, the nationally recognized executive pastry chef at the Hyatt Chicago. Roby, who lives in Geneva, as well as Josh Faillo, of Naperville, operating business manager for Nestle; Fred Kunzer, of Des Plaines, manager with DPI Midwest; and Gary Salvestrini, of Des Plaines, vice president with Sysco, also were granted membership into the group.
David Russell, corporate chef for Unilever Foundation in Lisle, was inducted into the International Order of the Disciples of Auguste Escoffier.
"There's no voting. People submit names," explained chef Michel Boulit, who heads the Chicago chapter. "There is a waiting list; (new members) have to come by recommendation."
At the end of the formal meal, the group recognized Hagopian for his participation and motioned him to sit in Escoffier's place. He now joins the committee planning the society's 2010 dinner.
If you want to learn more about Escoffier and the society that honors him, head to chicagochefs.org.
On the Web: Le Titi de Paris in Arlington Heights is featured in the latest video by the award-winning kids cooking Web site spatulatta.com.
Emily Maddox, daughter of owners Michael and Susan Maddox, acts as emcee as camera crews documents a recent cooking class at the restaurant. About 30 kids, ages 8 to 15, learned five different ways to make chicken. The recipes and videos for each dish are available at spatulatta.com. For information about kids and adult classes at Le Titi de Paris, head to letitideparis.com.
Hoppy ending: Get a look inside the billion-dollar brewing industry and meet the men and women who operate some of the country's independent breweries during a one-night-only special screening of "Beer Wars" at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 16.
The documentary follows two intrepid entrepreneurs - Sam Calagione and Rhonda Kallman - as they struggle to achieve their American dream in an industry dominated by powerful corporations unwilling to cede an inch.
After the movie, stay for a panel discussion (simulcast from Royce Hall in Los Angeles) with independent brewers and beer industry experts hosted by pundit, economist and actor Ben Stein.
The special event will be held at theaters in Batavia, Bloomingdale, Barrington, Crystal Lake, Deer Park, Lombard, Lincolnshire, Naperville, Warrenville and Woodridge. Tickets cost $15; buy them at the theater or via fathomevents.com.
Spring suds: Now that your appetite is whetted, you'll want to get a ticket for the 15th annual Spring Beer Fest Saturday, May 2, at Durty Nellie's in Palatine.
From 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., you can sample more than 50 beers crafted by small, medium and large brewers including Two Brothers, New Glarus, Lagunitas, Goose Island, Stella Artois and Sam Adams.
Advance tickets cost $25; get four friends to join you and pay $100. Tickets at the door cost $30, but don't expect there to be many available. The cost includes a souvenir pint glasses and live entertainment.
Get tickets at durtynellies.com or at the bar, 180 N. Smith St.
- Deborah Pankey
• Contact Food Editor Deborah Pankey at (847) 427-4524 or food@dailyherald.com. Listen to her discuss food and restaurant trends on Restaurant Radio Chicago from 5 to 6 p.m. Saturdays on WIND 560-AM.