Absinthe chef/owner Patrick Garland finishing his fish plates with some heat on the beer compound butter
The streak had to end at some point, and Juniper took their first loss in several weeks on Monday in their battle against Absinthe in the 2nd last ‘Dueling Chefs’ competition. Their record stands at a solid 5-3. The “secret ingredient” this week was a tough one – BEER (courtesy of Beau’s All-Natural brewery)! From what I understand from chairman Ron Eade, it’s really challenging to cook with beer, as it’s characteristics change rapidly as it cooks – quickly becoming bitter if overdone.
Above: Juniper’s “Beau’s goes East” – Pan Roasted, Beer soya Ginger soaked lingcod, served with beer soya ginger dipping sauce, and an asparagus West Quebec mushroom box sushi.
Above: Absinthe’s “Premature Spring Classic” – Roasted BC Lingcod, marinated in Beau’s beer, beer blanc sauce with beer compound butter, finished with beer foam, sauteed morels, and asparagus in a beer monte
Beautifully prepared dishes were flying out of the kitchen one-after-the-other, and both teams demonstrated fun and creativity with their creations. The plates were full of vibrant colours and interesting textures, as well as some very fun & creatively named dishes such as “Beau’s goes to the Carnival” and “Joel-is-so-sexy”. Unfortunately (for me), I wasn’t able to taste all of the dishes as I inherited a photography protege (Juniper’s Line Lefebvre), who not only helped take pictures, but also helped sample the plates.
Above: Absinthe team plating their desert “Chefs in a Beer Store” – Beer maple gelee, beer butterscotch napoleon, Beau’s float with beer ice cream, topped with gateau foret noir foam, beer chocolate biscuit, chocolate beer ice cream drizzled with beer caramel. Did I mention beer?
Above: Juniper’s “Chocolate and it’s bar-room friends” – Chocolate Beau’s beer cake with chocolate Beau’s beer glaze, mint caramel shard, orage panna-cotta, candied orange and a toffee pistachio candy bar. Bottom right – Norm Aitken closely inspecting his shards as they come off the sheet.
Next Monday will be the final dual, with Juniper hosting Sweetgrass. I’m looking forward to the final event, and I’m not sure what I’m going to do with my Monday evenings afterwards. KD and hot dogs at home just may not cut it anymore. :)
