The annual Chef Ball brings together some of the best chefs in central Arkansas to prepare an elaborate dinner for friends, family and other chefs as they honor their own. This year's celebration was Sept. 10 in the dining room of the University of Arkansas Pulaski Technical College Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management Institute.
Jamie McAfee, executive chef at Pine Bluff Country Club, was named Chef of the Year and Jeremiah Mesker was named Pastry Chef of the Year. Students honored included Josh Smith as Student Chef of the Year and Courtney Plyler as Student Pastry Chef of the Year. Awards were given by the American Culinary Federation Central Arkansas Cooks Association, which hosted the event.
The evening began with hors d'oeuvres and drinks. Dinner included multiple courses, each matched with a wine or drink to complement the course and commentary from the creating chefs and wine expert Ken Lipsmeyer.
Each course was beautifully plated and a feast for the eyes as well as the stomach. Two of the courses were an amuse bouche -- a smoked chicken oyster with blackberry barbecue sauce and corn coulis topped with chicken cracklings and a soup course of sweet corn gazpacho with pickled shrimp and crispy okra. The entree was a sous vide short rib with cauliflower mash and chive oil and roasted carrots.
The meal was prepared by chefs Suzanne Campbell, Jay McAfee, Mitch Berlin, Billy Ginocchio, Shane Henderson, Jamie McAfee, Robert Wolf, Donnie Ferneau, Jolie Mosley, Karen Johnson, Jan Lewandowski, Coby Smith, Kathy Kincaid, Wendy Schay, Jill McDonald and Jennifer Danser. Wines were selected by Lipsmeyer and Lorri Hambuchen. Assisting with preparation and serving dinner were students of the institute.
High Profile on 09/17/2017