Thanksgiving Dinner 2014

As a chef, you are almost always working the holidays. This year I was given the day off.  I wanted to take this opportunity to cook dinner for Renee and her family.   The Sunday before thanksgiving I sat down and came up with a menu:
-Citrus marinated duck and turkey
-Gravy
-Boursin mashed potatoes
-Cornbread stuffing with sweet potatoes
-Shaved brussel sprouts with bacon and balsamic vinegar
-Roasted butternut squash with kale and honey balsamic vinaigrette

I went over the menu with Renees mom, she said that she would shop for the items .  Wednesday after I got home from work around 930pm I began some of the prep to make my day a little easier on thanksgiving.

When thanksgiving came I was actually views and upset at myself for doing to much prep the night before.

The final results of my thanksgiving dinner was a delicious meal had by all,  so much so they want me to do it next year already.

Chicken Vegetable Soup with Noodles

A beautiful soup,with homemade stock, sometimes people forget the simple things like homemade stock,  this soup cost less then  $10 to make over a gallon.   Good eats, better memories.

Wine Dinner at Hilton Oakbrook Hills

We had a wine dinner at the hotel the other evening. With a lot of hard work and dedication from the team we were very successful in putting out this dinner.   The plates look great in these pictures, and taste even better.   In these pictures we have a lamb carpachio, braised oxtail, lentils.  Baked Cornish game hen, potato parsnip puree, Brussel sprouts with bacon lardon.     Baked bronzini, butternut squash risotto, roasted cipolini onions, veal jus.