Food IS Art

Last Thursday, event planners, marketing pros, foodies and media came out in droves to chomp on the latest and greatest provocative idea from celebrity chef Jose Andres.  The “Food Is Art” luncheon was held at LongView Gallery in Shaw and hosted by the man himself (with whom I was lucky to get a quick photo before he vanished into the world of important chef-dom) and Susan Lacz of Ridgewells Catering and was presented by Katsuya Fukushima, Executive Chef of the winning partnership: Jose Andres Catering with Ridgewells.

Making of the Magic Mojito; The scene

Let’s face it people.  Jose presents us with several opportunities to visit his restaurants here in DC and other markets, but don’t you just want to know you can have it off-site anytime at your events?  Or even at someone elses’s?  Yes, me too.  This marriage of cuisine expertise and catering execution is a brilliant scheme.  You can’t get a ressie at minibar? Well, considering there are only 6 seats and you have to make that call a month in advance (seriously, this is Washington. Who makes dinner reservations a a week in advance much less a month in advance?) Well, now minibar can come to you…and several hundred of your closest friends who will appreciate your exquisite taste.

Ann McCarthy with ThinkFoodGroup; live music

We tested the famous (or infamous) Magic Mojito, various fresh fruit juice drinks, and a large variety of hot and cold stations of meat and veggie dishes.  The main attraction was the gi-normous paella pan placed outside and served with field greens on a large plate and quite frankly, was gobbled up by everyone who was eyeing the pan like it was a cool pool on a hot summer day: Dive-in-able.

George Costanza’s mom has nothing on this paella

The more then appropriate theme for the catering company is: EAT-DRINK-DREAM.  Learn more about Jose Andres Catering with Ridgewells here: www.joseandrescatering.com and look for a future site in Sin City and more around the globe.

Kate Stilwill and Emily Riffle; The legend himself & me; prepping paella plates; the salmon with creme fresh & olive oil pancakes & dill (my fave)

More photos from Jose Andres Catering with Ridgewells