Sonya's "Surprise" Birthday Dinner for Kevin 12-13-09

Two Sunday's ago Tyler and I created a 5 course meal for our cousin's birthday. Sonya contacted us back in November to see if we'd do a private dinner in the YBF Two Week dinner style. We jumped at the chance. Here are some photos of the evening as well as shots of every course, compliments of Grayson Kemp.

Unbeknownst to our guests I had burned my hand twice that weekend in prep for that night, I spent most of the weekend holding something frozen and looking somewhat like this, during my better moments. 

Course Numero Uno:

mango, banana, pine custard, savory pie crust, vinegar caramel, pine nuts; pecan yogurt cheese, pistachio wafer, pine oil; jody's homemade winter beer

#2

chanterelle mushroom, bacon bisque with beer foam and bacon; thyme biscuit with nutmeg butter, castelvetrano olives, shropshire blue cheese

#3

filet miñon with a chocolate and coffee dry rub and rosemary oil marinade, coffee cherry reduction sauce, baby potatoes and baby onions roasted in cedar vodka oil, pecorino romano chips, foamed wood soup, shaved asparagus, cocoa nibs

#4

duck cherry and pumpkin ravioli with a roasted red pepper and chipotle sauce, brown butter powder

#5
Birthday Cake : chocolate soup with earl grey cake, meyer lemon buttermilk sherbet, and pear cider soaked pears

Happy Birthday Kev! Thanks for making this possible Sonya!

More of Grayson's pics from the evening are here.