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Chefs Prep Acme Ice House 30a food and wine

Fight Night!

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Story by: Sarah Murphy Robertson

Anyone happening by Seacrest this past Wednesday evening may have heard the enthusiastic roar as Acme Ice House crowned their first Food Fight winner. It was a night celebrating culinary creativity and the crowd buzzed with excitement as two local chefs had one hour to create a minimum of two dishes with mystery ingredients.

As the competition kicked off, Chef Derek Langford from Bud & Alley’s in Seaside and Chef Chris Infinger of g.Foley’s in Panama City Beach were given their three mandatory ingredients: Golden Tilefish, King Oyster mushrooms, and white asparagus.

While the two chefs worked furiously against the clock, guests enjoyed libations and appetizers fit for true food lovers: tender and juicy short rib sliders, beets dressed with Florida honey, walnuts, and bleu cheese, and seared Ahi tuna wrapped in soy and ginger dressed soba noodles. The well-satiated fans eagerly crowded to watch the chefs work their magic as delicious aromas began wafting from Acme’s open kitchen.

Chef Derek prepared fresh ravioli filled with King Oyster mushrooms and homemade ricotta, sauced with a sublime mushroom jus crafted using honey, soy sauce, and veal stock and served with a shaved mushroom salad on top. Next he served his Tilefish dish: perfectly cooked with tantalizingly crispy skin atop an asparagus puree and accompanied saffron sauce.

Chef Derek Langford prepares his mushroom ravioli for the judges table.
Chef Derek Langford prepares his mushroom ravioli for the judges table.

Chef Chris presented three courses starting with a deviled egg with asparagus puree and a hot sauce gelée giving this little bite a kick. Next his cheesy King Oyster mushroom risotto was creamy and earthy and garnished with dehydrated mushrooms that were first boiled with smoky bacon. This dish showcased Chef Chris’s creative ambition and point of view. Lastly his Tilefish was accompanied by an herbed crab stuffing and resting on crisp-tender asparagus spears and a potato puree. All his components were seasoned to perfection.

It can’t be overstated how challenging a competition like this is. While both chefs are talented, experienced professionals in their field, a mere hour to create composed dishes from previously unknown ingredients in a pressure-cooker environment, is not an easy task. Both competitors were successful and presented stunning dishes in the allotted timeframe.

I was honored to be one of the three judges tasting and evaluating this amazing food. Along with Acme’s owner Bill Shoaf and Gulf Coast State College Assistant Culinary Professor Paul Ashman, we undoubtedly had the best jobs in the house. After a difficult deliberation with scoring so close the winner was decided by less than half a point, Chef Derek Langford received the coveted win and bragging rights. What a battle!

THE "secret ingredients"...King Oyster mushrooms, white asparagus, and Golden Tilefish
THE “secret ingredients”…King Oyster mushrooms, white asparagus, and Golden Tilefish

Acme Ice House’s next Food Fight is Wednesday November 19th starting at 6 pm. Stay tuned for the chef line-up and make plans to come experience the fun and creativity first hand!

CHef Christiopher Holbrook

School of Thought

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Story by Sarah Murphy Robertson

They say fish is brain food, which is just what Chef Christopher Holbrook of Signature Catering of 30-A anticipates our new Gulf to Table events will ultimately serve up. When asked what these dinners will bring to 30A, he was quick to answer: “Education for the consumer. Our menus will highlight lesser-known fish; providing a platform for helping both local fishermen and our area’s ecosystem.”

Chef Christopher is excited for these private meals to provide one-on-one dialogues on fishing practices in our area. He is well-versed on the many factors driving the popularity of specific fish, and is ready to bring his knowledge to his diners’ culinary repertoires.

One of Chef Christopher's Signature dishes.
One of Chef Christopher’s Signature dishes.

His Gulf to Table menus will emphasize a balanced progression; keeping it fresh and straightforward. “To me, the fish is the star and so that will always be my first focus” promises the chef. While his career’s spanned decades and time zones, most recently he notes his role in encouraging healthy lifestyle choices. His clients are health conscious but also food-savvy. He strives to push his food’s creativity, while also keeping them fit.

And, what is fine dining without exquisite wine? All of the signature event meals will offer unique pairings personally fashioned by 30afoodandwine.com’s partner, Chan’s Wine World. Guests should expect the unexpected and be ready to find some new favorites.

Informing diners, supporting local fishermen, improving our ecosystem, eating healthily…all while enjoying mouthwatering dishes and wine? Sounds like a pretty smart move!

Gulf to Table Signature Events with Chef Christopher at the helm can be reserved through 30afoodandwine.com. The inaugural meal will be held Saturday November 8th. For tickets please call 850.687.3776 or email phil@ecconciergeservice.com.

la-cocina-summer-2018-022

LaCo Latin Coastal Kitchen

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10343 E County Hwy 30A
Seacrest, FL 32413
850-231-4021
www.laco30a.com

MENU HAPPY HOUR BRUNCH

New name, new look, new brunch

By Michelle Farnham

SEACREST BEACH – La Cocina, the Latin coastal restaurant serving up ceviche, tacos, burritos and achiote fried wings along 30A, has reopened its doors as LaCo, a shortened moniker for both “La Cocina” and “Latin Coastal.”

Over the winter, the eatery also underwent a top-to-bottom remodel of the dining room and bar, and has debuted a new brunch menu from Executive Chef Eric Bartholomew. From the floors to wall colors, lighting, even the chairs are new, all the work of Z-Space Design out of Atlanta.

“We’ve been transitioning from Tex-Mex to more Latin Coastal over the past couple years, so we wanted to reflect those menu changes in the name and the ambiance of the restaurant,” explained Manager Sarah Hampton. “It’s the same owners, the same great staff, and the same menu we’ve used for the past three years.”

To the left of the entryway is the revamped main dining space, which includes fresh tile work in muted beachy tones that add to the coastal feel. New booths offer fun, comfortable seating options to the space. To the right of the front door is the remodeled bar area with seating, including the gorgeous white bar top, accented by handsome dark woodwork.

“The remodel definitely lightens up the dining room and the new bar is a great hangout place,” Bartholomew said.

Adding brunch

The newly debuted brunch is served 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. seven days a week, while the regular menu is offered 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, including takeout, according to Christy Spell Terry, who co-owns LaCo with her father, Rick.

“We wanted to give locals and tourists alike a dining option they could enjoy earlier in the day,” Spell Terry said. “LaCo’s culinary team created an exceptional menu brunch-goers can enjoy as early as 10 a.m. daily – and that includes kid-friendly dishes, too! It makes for a great start to a day at the beach.”

The Breakfast Burrito, Tacos Desayuno and Chilaquiles Rojo come with the guest’s choice of grilled steak, bacon, chorizo or grilled veggies.

“When I think coastal, it’s certain ingredients we use, some seafood, but also being a little bit lighter,” the chef said. “This is not your typical bacon-eggs-potato type place. It’s a different option for someone, and a lot of these are gluten-free or can be vegetarian, so they’re good for people with alternative diets.”

Chef’s Sweet Potato Breakfast Hash is not to be missed, with its roasted Brussels sprouts, whipped avocado, lime vinaigrette and a sunny side up egg.

“The sweet potato is a little bit of a healthier option, while the Chilaquiles Rojo is a real traditional Mexican breakfast dish,” Bartholomew explained. “It’s kind of a hangover meal! It’s a very homey dish that we can offer to guests that they might not have been exposed to before.”

Younger diners can chose between French Toast Sticks with fresh berries, or the S’mores Waffle with chocolate mousse.

Hampton admitted the Lobster Avocado Toast was her favorite new brunch item.

“It’s sourdough bread, avocado, and delicious lobster,” she said. “It has a sweetness and also a little heat, too. The flavors are just awesome.”

Brunch also includes new drinks, like the Sunrise Smoothie (banana, blueberry, vanilla yogurt, almond milk) and the Blood Orange Mimosa, to complement the food.

“Guests love the new brunch dishes and drinks!” exclaimed Spell Terry. “Our culinary team works hard to create Latin-inspired, coastal cuisine with fresh seafood and local ingredients, and guests really appreciate it.”

The regular menu that debuted three seasons ago is still in use, continuing to use fresh, local purveyors. Chef rotates out his very popular Pescado Del Dia special every week or so. Other highlights include the Ribeye Asado plate with red chimichurri, as well as the 10 taco options featuring everything from achiote fried pork belly to chili butter-poached lobster.

LaCo Latin Coastal Kitchen is located at 10343 E. Co. Hwy. 30A in Seacrest Beach. They are open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily and do not accept reservations. Reach them at 850-231-4021 or view the full menu at www.laco30a.com.