What started out as a classy, foodie party for before the Beta Launch (first test phase) of The Smart Kitchen Online Culinary School, lasted past the dessert hour and into the wee desert evening hours. It was a tight knit group of about 50 or so but there was a lot of excitement about the product, the food, the team and the conviviality of the whole thing.
Teaching Chef, Dominic O’Neill, our Chef Teaching Instructor, SK Chef, Eric O’Neill, our President & P Chef, Perry Herst the Chief Operating Officer, toasted the launch to kick off the party.
Teaching Chef, SK Chef & P Chef Toast the Beta Launch of Smart Kitchen
3 Philosophers drank Three Philosophers Belgian Style Ale
The toast allowed everyone to break into the drinks and then the food.
Prosecco Brut Started Things Off.
Renee representing the Web Dev Team & 2 Fists Shiner Bock and Widmer Hefeweizen Beer.
After the Drinks the food. The menu included:
An incredible Fish Chowder that will have to be in the Advanced Level Lessons.
The Incredible Fish Chowder Stood Out!
Roast Sirloin with ”liquid gold”, a Cream Demi-Glaze
Roast Sirloin with a Cream Demi-Glaze
Home Cured Gravlox with home grown Basil & Spinach put up into a delicate dipping sauce
Home Cured Gravlax was a treat
Crab Claws & Shrimp, simply prepared but worth every bite.
The Crab Claws & Shrimp were Sweet
Artichoke Salad
A Cheese Plate, that included Smart Kitchen favorites, Maytag Blue Cheese & Point Reyes Blue Cheese.
Maytag Blue Cheese & Point Reyes Blue Cheese share a photo.
The Brie Looked Great & Went Quickly.
For dessert the menu called for: Mexican Chocolate Cake, Lindzer Torte, & Pumpkin Bars
The Mexican Chocolate Cake was exotic and delicious.
But some of the team, including yours truly, baked up some extra action.
Some Looked Fancy and some Looked Plain but both tasted Fancy
Even the center pieces were noteworthy bits of “Flair”. Teaching Chef, shows that not even Smart Kitchen contains all of his “4th Lever” tricks. We will have to work on him about that and get those centerpieces in the Intermediate Food Preparation section.
A Simple but Beautiful Herb & White Navy Bean Centerpiece
Votive Fruit? Not really but who knew Pineapple & Cabbage made such seemly Candle Holders
The party was great but the reception of Smart Kitchen, the product was even better. Everyone liked the look and the feel. We are very excited to begin the formal testing next week.
SK Chef Explains the Finer Points of Smart Kitchen
Last and likely least, my shaved face above. I had promised in Mid-September to refrain from shaving until the Smart Kitchen Beta was up. We were 22 days behind schedule and the Beta Beard got a bit shaggy. With the launch shaving returned to its rightful place in the grooming regimen and I am happy the unwieldly monster is gone. But Round Two starts Monday with the deadline for Food Preparation Basics. Hopefully, nothing going forward will rival the Beta Beard. For a point of comparision, it is below. You will likely agree that it wasn’t looking very sexy just before Friday’s shave. I think you could call it the opposite of “Flair.”
22 Days Behind Schedule. The Beta Test Beard Grew Out of Hand.
P Chef
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