On day last week I traveled to France, Baja, and Venezuela with friends. We didn't even have to leave the state! At United Associations Conference in Wichita, a professional conference of Family and Consumer professionals (and retirees can go also), the theme was Passport to Excellence. The committee did a great job tying that all together with sessions that were educational and enjoyable.
The Thursday evening event was a dinner out option at a restaurant with an ethnic fare. I chose the Taste and See Restaurant (3825 East Harry). Ten of us in various cars finally found the out-of-the-way location in an old strip mall in a not-so-good part of town. It was worth the search!
The menu featured selections from many cuisines, and our group had an international display of choices. I had Deconstructed Cordon Bleu - the tastes of Cordon Bleu in a 'inside out' presentation. The menu describes it as: "Bacon suited chicken breast and panela cheese, crispy butterkase polena and Amazon vegetables of a mirrow of tomato pisto sauce".
Another choice was Oceanic Mac & Cheese - it was not Mac & Cheese like we used to serve the kids!
"Elegant concoction of blue crab, shrimp and scallops loaded with seasonal creamy cheeses, white wine and fresh herbs, lime butter grilled french bread drums".
The special drink of the evening were martinis. Who knew there were so many different flavors? Mine was the prettiest - an upside down pineapple something...
As we learned more about the restaurant from the local FCS educator, we were honored by a visit from the chef, Jason Febres who is from Venezuela. The restaurant is also a cooking school with an open kitchen where diners can watch their meals being prepared on TVs mounted on the walls. Special events can be arranged in a private dining room complete with a many-coursed meal and watching the prep on a large screen. He will be featured on a national television food show later this month - bringing good food and fame to the city of Wichita.
It was definitely a fun filled 'journey' uniting food and friends. As food should be - nourishment and celebration to well-being and relationships.
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