Southwest Florida chefs to host dinner at James Beard House
Southwest Florida’s culinary treasures both the foods grown here and the chefs who prepare them will play starring roles at a dinner at the prestigious James Beard House this fall.
Norman Love, an acclaimed chocolatier, pastry chef and founder of Norman Love Confections, has put together an all-star team of local chefs who will present the six-course dinner in New York Friday, Oct. 2.
Joining him will be Fabrizio Aielli, chef/owner of Sea Salt in Naples and St. Petersburg; Harold Balink, chef/owner of Cru in Fort Myers; George Fistrovich, executive chef of The Ritz-Carlton Resorts of Naples; and Todd Johnson, chef/owner of Rumrunners in Cape Coral. Ryan Love, an up-and-coming pastry chef at Norman Love Confections, will join his father to create the desserts.
“The menu will feature ingredients that are indigenous to Southwest Florida,” said Norman Love. “The other team members are longtime friends and accomplished chefs. Everyone is really excited about working together on this project.”
Also playing a starring role in the meal will be the produce and meats of Rosy Tomorrows Heritage Farm, run by Rose O’Dell King of North Fort Myers. Her chicken, red wattle pork, Everglades tomatoes and mint marigold will be among the ingredients the chefs use to craft their hors d’oeuvres and six courses.
The not-for-profit James Beard Foundation maintains the Greenwich Village property that was home to the famed cookbook author and educator. Today, the house hosts culinary events showcasing chefs from around the world vying to create a meal for 80 people in this challenging performance space. The foundation’s mission is to “celebrate, nurture and honor America’s culinary heritage.”
With a limit of 80 diners, most people won’t be able to attend the dinner in New York, but the chefs are considering re-creating the meal locally afterward, most likely as a fundraiser for a local charity. They will be able to show video of the New York dinner at the event for an added taste of the real thing.
Tickets for the Beard dinner are expected to go on sale Aug. 1. Details and reservations are available at jamesbeard.org.
Norman Love Confections has Chocolate Salons in Fort Myers, Estero and Naples in Southwest Florida. The chocolatier creates and distributes handcrafted artisanal chocolates from its Fort Myers corporate headquarters that encompasses both production and retail operations. Chocolates, gift baskets, sipping chocolate and Love’s new book, “Artistry in Chocolate, A Story of Love,” can be ordered online at www.normanloveconfections.com. In addition, Norman Love Confections chocolates and desserts are offered on 18 Princess Cruises’ ships through the “Chocolate Journeys” partnership.