Singing and Dancing with Chef Ellerbe

Last night was fun with Chef Ellerbe as our judge and teacher for this 90 minute challenge. What an interesting life he has had. Learned lots and we have certainly toughened up our shells when it came to the comments. I can’t wait to get to his level of classes. He has inspired my lagging sense of failure this past weekend. Chef Ellerbe entertained us student chefs with singing and little dancing with his carving skills with the protein.

I think Annette and I really got the hang of our Southwest theme night. Fajita soup was spicy and welcoming difference on the palette, and some fried tortilla strips for crunch. Annette did such a great job on the flavors and colors of the soup. Wish we had the real beef broth and not the canned stuff.

I did a decent job on the entrée. Which was stuffed beef tenderloin, orzo, asparagus (again, at least it’s in season and fresh) and this really great spicy pepper, tomato sauce I made. Beef was a little over done, but “we” have learned to watch the time.

Dessert was a take on a Southern Napoleon. Waffle cookies, with sweet creamy grits and maple syrup. It was different, but still a little elegant, I think. Loved the grits with cinnamon and vanilla. If I am going to do these again, I want a sweeter cookie and can’t forget the “bling”, (whipped cream) like Chef Ellerbe said.

All of the dishes looked so good from the student chefs. They were tasty too when we finally were able to taste them. I am so proud of my buddies Ashley and Randy stepping up the game with their appetizing wonton’s, beef and rice noodle entrée, and chocolate tart with peanut butter sauce for dessert. I loved Missy and Brianna’s fried tortellini appetizer and apple pie dessert. James did well on his solo debut of beef stroganoff, one of my all time favorite dinner’s growing up. Each one of the teams had such great flavor profiles and pretty plate presentation in their own unique approach. Way to go fellow students!!!