Truffles and Wine Dinner at La Toque Restaurant in Napa
Truffle Festival Host Chef Ken Frank along with 3 other Michelin Star chefs came together to create an evening truffle feast at La Toque this past Saturday evening, January 13th in Napa. This sold-out dinner soiree is one of the most sought-after dining events during the 4-Day Napa Truffle Festival.
It is the talents of these 4 Michelin Star chefs with their combined years of culinary experience that exemplified the mastery and synergy presenting a magnificent and extraordinary menu for the evening’s Truffle dinner. Ken Frank of La Toque, Gabriel Kreuther of Gabriel Kreuther Restaurant in New York, Christina Bowerman of Glass Hostaria in Rome and Ryan McCaskey of Acadia in Chicago were the creators and master chefs of the evenings outstanding menu.
Champagne Louis Roederer
Small Bite Truffle Appetizers on the Terrace
The Napa Truffle Festival’s evening’s prelude took us to the La Toque Terrace where Methusalem’s and Jeroboam’s of Champagne Louis Roederer, Brut Premier flowed into the guests champagne flutes. Also, a lovely selection of small bites were passed around during the hour of mingling and chatting in anticipation of the meal to come. Crumpets with Foie Gras and Black Truffle, Scallop Tartare with Black Truffle, Puffed Mini Buns with Taggiasche Olive and Black Truffle and Pheasant Raviolo with Truffle Jus Roti, Black Truffle and Pickled Romaine. What a wonderful way to start the evening!
Along with the four dishes of the evening, the perfect wines were paired and carefully selected by Chef Ken Frank and his sommelier. Estate wines from the Napa Valley, Anderson Valley and Italy created the perfect blend of flavors to complement the black truffle dishes featured.
Chef Ken Frank did the introductions of each visiting chef and during each course. The chef of the corresponding dishes came out to describe to the dining guests details about each dish and the wines they were paired with. Of course, at the end of the evening all of the chefs were paraded through the dining room to great applause and accolades for their culinary truffle creations of the evening. Bravo!!
Truffle and Wine Dinner Parade of Chefs at La Toque
Truffle and Wine Dinner at La Toque Menu
Black Truffle In a Jar – Gabriel Kreuther
Gabriel Kreuther – New York Black Truffle in a Jar with Braised Tarbais Beans and German Butterball Potato Mousseline paired with 2016 Nascetta “La Regina”, Serra dei Fiori, Langhe
Ken Frank’s Truffle Wrapped John Dory
Ken Frank – Napa Truffle Wrapped John Dory with Braised Cabbage paired with 2013 Pinot Noir, Dach Vineyard, Domaine Anderson, Anderson Valley
Cristina Bowerman’s Potato Gnocchi
Christina Bowerman – Rome Potato Gnocchi, Sea Urchin, Black Garlic Bagna Cauda, Salted Lemon and Fresh Black Truffle paired with 2010 Chianti Classico Risvera “di Fizzano”, Rocca delle Macie
Ken Frank’s Roasted Rack of Veal with Black Truffle
Ken Frank – Napa Roasted Rack of Veal with Black Truffle, Sauce Albufera paired with 2004 Cabernet Franc, McKenzie-Mueller, Estate, Napa Valley
Ryan McCaskey’s Truffle Banana Ice Cream
Ryan McCaskey – Chicago Truffle Banana Ice Cream, Black Garlic Truffle Dehydrated Cake, Caramelized Passion Fruit Curd, Citrus Lace
Fun Evening Photos
Dr. Paul Thomas of Scotland in his Festive Kilt
Chef Cristina Bowerman
Girls Night Out
Accolades and Applause from Happy Guests
Attendee John with Chef Ken Frank, “Foodie Chap” Liam Mayclem and Napa Truffle Festival Marketing Director Kathleen Iudice
