locally foraged
*Be warned. Lots of mouthwatering food pics ahead.
Hey hey friends! How’s the week treating ya? I hope you’re having a good one so far. I’m teaching barre and spin tonight, voting this afternoon, making soup in the Instant Pot, and looking forward to girls’ night this week. I’d love to hear what you’re up to.
For today, I thought we could talk about my brother Kyle’s amaaaaazing food, and two events I recently was able to attend. A couple of weeks ago, Kyle was the guest chef for the Casino del Sol PY Steakhouse “Dinner with Chefs and Celebs” series. He created a 3-course menu for the evening and the event was completely sold out.
Nana was my date, and we had the best time drinking wine and enjoying the incredible food.
Here’s the menu:
The first course reminded me of something from Chef’s Table: different types of *bacon* hanging by tiny wooden clothespins.
(Photo by Off Kilter Photos)
The bread was from Barrio Bread (my fave!) and we thoroughly enjoyed dipping it into the various sauces and combining with different protein bites. My favorite “bacon” was the mushroom with a bit of bread and handcrafted jam.
The second course was the best duck I’ve ever had. It sat atop a mound of truffled squash, with foraged mushrooms, and a savory reduction. Duck isn’t usually something I’ll order because sometimes it’s weird/greasy. This was perfectly cooked, well-seasoned, and tasted a thousand times better than chicken.
Dessert was the showstopper: a duck fat doughnut with huckleberry glaze and Monsoon chocolate. Nana and I agreed that we wanted to order a dozen each weekend. 😉
(Photo by Off Kilter Photos)
After we were fully wined and dined, we chatted with Meg and Kyle for a while, and then headed into the casino to lose money haha.
(Pleated skirt is here)
That same week, Kyle also participated in the first Tucson Foodie The Art of Plating competition. Many of the well-known chefs in town participated, and they each had a station where they created a dish for the judges, and mini tasting plates for all of the guests.
Madre and I walked around tasting the dishes from each chef. (We were biased, of course, but even so, Kyle totally should have won.)
The venue was also really unique. It was held at Copenhagen Imports, which has a ton of furniture and beautiful home pieces. It was cool because there was swanky seating and tables everywhere, but then at the same time, you’re like, “I’m drinking wine on a super expensive couch I don’t own.”
Kyle’s dish was a smoked hamachi crudo with Mt. Lemmon apples he picked himself, forward wood sorrel, local peppers and ginger-beet mist.
The winning plate was created by one of Kyle’s good friends, Ryan Clark. I don’t remember what it was exactly but I know it was a beet shortbread with coconut sorbet and rosemary cotton candy. (The cotton candy was LIFE.)
I’m super proud of buddy, and I feel so fortunate that I’m in Tucson right now to hang out with the fam and all of my brothers, and get to see all of the things they’re accomplishing. I felt bummed when we were living in San Diego and Georgia and I’d see all of Kyle’s food pics and events online. I’m here now, and living it up. 😉
(Wearing this dress with these booties <— sold out, but similar ones are here and here)
Do any of your siblings have unique jobs? Anything they’ve done that makes you super proud? Share the love in the comments’ section!
xo
Gina
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My brother is a pilot (just like your pilot!). He went to the Naval Academy, then went Marines upon graduating. Now he is retired and flies airline jets for Delta. 🙂 I am always super proud of all he has accomplished, and of course I love reading your blog because it is almost like a parallel of my brother’s life – he also has two daughters and a lovely wife, just like you and Tom haha.
wow, no way! that is so amazing. fingers crossed we’ll be in the airline life here soon, too 😉
I love to see these posts supporting the family love – and I also LOVE Chefs Table so it would be amazing to see some of that same type of creativity come to life in person.
I’m always proud of my brother. He’s currently finishing his PhD at Oxford University in England (he’s also already completed a Masters at Columbia in New York and another Masters at Oxford before this). He’s a true academic mind – brilliant, insightful and charismatic, but somehow still a totally regular person. He’s also the SWEETEST father to his baby girl, my niece, and it was totally unexpectedly wonderful. Happy to share the sibling love!
ahhh i love that so much!
Wow, Kyle’s food at both events looks amazing! I bet you were so proud. My brother works in the TV industry in L.A. He started as an assistant and was recently promoted to staff writer for the tv series “The Expanse.” He is writing episode 4 of the next season, which will air on Amazon. I could not be prouder of him – that’s such a hard industry but he has set goals and has worked hard to get to this point.
this is incredible! you rarely hear about people “making it” in that industry — i would be so proud, too <3
That is so awsome about Kyle! It’s so cool to see a sibling succeed and love what they do.
My sister works at a bakery, decorating cookies, cakes, and other baked goods. She has Down syndrome and people are always surprised to see that she works so hard and is so creative. She’s an amazing, kind human, and I strive to be more like her every day.
your comment made my heart so warm. so happy that she found something that she loves and can express her creativity. amazing <3
Has anyone ever said that P looks like Kyle? They have the same eyes!
she does!!
Wow! He must be so talented! And lucky you to have a chef in the family 🙂
yes, we have two! it’s very nice 😉
Food looked delish!
Total side note…but have you tried the pepitas salsa from Trader Joes?! Girllll…..get some asap…it tastes good on errrythang!!
omg yes, i tried it at the little tasting hut thing and loved it! i need to actually buy some 🙂
My sister is a dental assistant by day and she also does flowers for weddings. They are so beautiful and creative. Her bouquets have been featured in some local magazines. She’s amazing.
ahh i love that so much
incredible job to your brother!!!