Saturday, June 02, 2007

Bonaire’s Culinary Team Goes Iron Chef…..Well, Sort of

The past two Sunday evenings have found the Miami-bound Bonaire Culinary Chefs working diligently over their hot stoves to prepare a repast for those lucky enough to enjoy the meal.  They are preparing and testing foods in advance of their trip to Miami for the 2007 Taste of the Caribbean.  If you’ve ever dreamed of being a judge on Iron Chef, this is probably as close as you’ll ever come!

In a Bonaire version of the popular Food Network series, Iron Chef and Iron Chef America, the Bonaire Culinary Team is offering four Sunday evenings of fine meals and wine, all for only FL 50.00 per person per night (USD $28.09).  Using these dinners as a fund-raiser to garner the necessary monies for the chefs to fly to Miami for the competition, the dinners allow those on Bonaire the opportunity to enjoy a fantastic and creative three-course dinner while doing something good for the island’s young chefs. 

The chefs learn on Saturday what the mystery bag of ingredients includes, so they have only one day to prepare their menus and accompanying items.  Last Sunday, the evening began with samples of award-winner bartender Janie Coffie’s newest tropical concoctions.  The appetizer plate was then offered with such delights as a fish carpaccio, watermelon with tomato salsa, watermelon “caviar”, and chilled tomato soup with a coconut foam.  The main course proved delicious with stuffed tornadoes of beef and pork tenderloin, with a pumpkin funchi (polenta) and grilled asparagus.  The desserts offered up pleased everyone’s sweet tooth:  a peanut fritter, caramel ice cream, creme brulee, and a chocolate-toffee lollipop.  Both red and white wines were served with the appropriate courses.

Those dining are encouraged to rate the meal, as well as offer their suggestions as to how it can be improved.  All are provided with the menu, with space to provide comments.  This is as “Iron Chef” as anyone is bound to be!

The Bonaire contingent will head north to Miami for this year’s Taste of the Caribbean Competition, held June 16th through 19th, 2007.  The goal of the event is to provide a platform for the islands of the Caribbean to showcase their individual rich cultural heritages and the uniqueness of the Caribbean’s diverse culinary expressions.  Each national culinary team manager will have six minutes to make a presentation based on the following pre-set questions:

1. What is the island’s signature dish?
2. Origins and history of the signature dish.
3. Description of the preparation of the dish (managers may provide handouts with the recipe of the dish).

Each team will be judged on: 

1.  Quality and treatment of information
2.  Visual appeal
3. Presentation skills
4. Hard copy of the presentation (required)

Two Sunday evening dinners will still be held prior to the Miami competition.  If you wish to try your skill in judging the young chefs’ offerings, plan to attend either Sunday, June 3rd or 10th.  Reservations can be made by contacting Margreth Kloos - phone 717-2897 or e-mail at margreth@bonaireyellowsubmarine.com.

Pictures of last Sunday’s dinner are available on the Bonaire Insider Photo Gallery by clicking here. (Source:  Bonaire Insider Reporter)