Two Great Chefs "do" Pumpkin

[SouthPhillyFoodie]

Last night, I attended the James Beard Celebrity Tour dinner at Amada -- Jose and Chris Lee - formerly of Striped Bass, now Gilt in NYC -- created an amazing menu that included a cook off of sorts, using pumpkin as the main ingredient.

It was all delicious!

Here is the menu -- the fifth course included grits with pumking seeds, which doesn't appear on this menu.

THE JAMES BEARD FOUNDATION CELEBRITY CHEF TOUR

FEATURING CHEF’S JOSE GARCES AND CHRISTOPHER LEE

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 15TH

7:00 PM

PASSED CANAPES

FOIE TERRINE WITH PUMPKIN SEED LACE COOKIE AND CONCORD GRAPE

PEPITA CRUSTED GOAT CHEESE WITH PUMKIN SEED VINAGIRETTE & BOQUERONE

SPICY TUNA ROLL WITH PONZU JELLY AND NORI CRACKER

CALABAZA CRAB EMPANADA WITH BLACK BEAN PUREE AND OREGANO OIL

FIRST

CALABAZA SOUP WITH DIVER SCALLOP, CAVIAR & BANANA

SECOND

VEAL SWEETBREADS WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH PUREE, SPECK HAM & APPLE CIDER BOURBON SAUCE

THIRD

GRILLED SHRIMP WITH PUMPKIN FLAN & CURRY SAFFRON SAUCE

FOURTH

MILK POACHED POUSSIN WITH CHEESE-PUMPKIN RISOTTO, PORCINI MUSHROOM & SHAVED WHITE TRUFFLE

FIFTH

CRISPY PORK BELLY WITH EGG, MAPLE & CHARRED PUMPKIN

DESSERT

SPICY PUMPKIN MILKSHAKE

[Carlson1105]

I was there too, it was great! 1 Hour of cocktails with white and red sangria and wines with the canapes. The tuna and the crab empanadas were the highlights. Every course was paired with a different Souverain wine. Service and food were great, the pumpkin milkshake was served in a edible chocolate cup.

There was a mixup at our table, where our 6 were seated at an 8 top, and there was a party of eight who needed the table. We were asked politely if we would move, and all 6 of us were rewarded with a bottle of wine to take home. Classy move on their part.