THE ART OF FOOD

For the past 8 months I've been helping to plan an event called "The Art of Food." Last Wednesday night (5/27) was the big night. 100 guests turned out at a beautiful private home in Newton, MA, to meet and mingle with four of Newton's star chefs and to enjoy an evening of food and wine and friends and neighbors.

The event was part of The Newton Festival of the Arts. The festival spanned the month of May and offered over 60 artsy events. The goal was to bring the community together to enjoy and celebrate our very own Newton artists, and at the same time to raise funds for Newton arts and cultural organizations and local food pantries.

Meeting the chefs was great! I have a thing for chefs - don't we all? They make us happy with their delicious food and drink, and the wonderful ambiances of their restaurants. Dining at great restaurants is one of my favorite things to do in life but I rarely get behind the scenes to meet the chefs that create all the magic.

Here are the chefs (alphabetically) and what they cooked for "The Art of Food":

Chef Jeff Fournier of 51 Lincoln and Waban Kitchen

Serving: Spanish Mackerel Crudo with Olive Oil, Chilis, and Pea Puree.

The crudo was spectacular - so fresh, and deliciously paired with creamy sweet pea puree, a thin slice of chili pepper for a perfect touch of heat and crunch, and a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of salt to pull it all together. Jeff Fournier is a fine artist/painter in addition to being a chef. His knowledge of color and composition definitely shows in his plating!

Chef Michael Leviton of Lumiere and Area Four

Serving: Rye Berry, Fava Bean and Turnip Salad with Sumac Vinaigrette.

Chef Leviton's Rye Berry salad tasted like spring: a bowl of chewy, nutty rye berries, bright seasonal vegetables - turnips, favas, radishes, asparagus - with fresh herbs, olive oil and lemony sumac. I loved every delicious, healthy bite!

Chef David Punch of Sycamore, right

Serving: Southeast Asian Chicken Salad with Glass Noodles.

Chef punch's salad was an explosion of flavor - some heat, some sweet, some tang, soft slippery noodles, crunchy vegetables and peanuts - lots of excitement in every bite! I can't wait for Chef Punch's new East Asian soul food restaurant "Little Big Diner" coming soon to Newton!

Chef Paul Turano of Cook Restaurant, center

Serving: Roasted Duck Breast, Duck-Filled Ravioli, Pea Vines and Ramp Butter.

This dish was so luscious I could have eaten 10 of those little plates! I hope Chef Turano will put this on the menu at Cook!

After dinner there was an informal forum with the chefs out by the pool.

Our event chair, Denise Swidey, threw some questions out and the Chefs passed around the mic.

The more heavy topics were about art and allergies: Most of the chefs expressed that what they do doesn't have much to do with art - they said that being a chef is better described as a craft that requires technique and consistency. Chef Fournier was the only one who said that color, composition and negative space come into play with his food presentation. All four chefs agreed that the biggest challenge they face on a regular basis is accommodating people's allergies and intolerances - one person with an allergy can mean a total stand-still in a busy kitchen.

Lots of laughs as some charming personal stories emerged - Paul Turano wanted to be a chef from the time he was 5; David Punch related memories of his mom's rotten baked scrod as his inspiration for starting to cook in high school; Michael Leviton's first serious meal he made was Thanksgiving, including a very memorable cranberry maple pear pie; Jeff Fournier would have also been happy being a famous painter....