From Argentina With Love

Masters of Food and Wine, Part II--Cooking Class with Chef Estruch

 

Masters of Food and Wine, Mendoza: I attend a cooking class hosted by famed Spanish Chef Montse Estruch.  Her restaurant, El Cingle, is situated at the base of Montserrat mountain, where she creates dishes known for their subtle flavors and floral elements. 

The plate she creates exemplifies her cooking philosophy: the plate is alive  with color and made from fresh local ingredients.  Her aesthetic is completely Spanish and visually stunning--Picasso himself would be jealous! 

The dish is this:  a black olive tapenade, spread across the plate like a comma.  A delicate dollop of hummous  made from pureed garbanzos, onion, sugar, salt, cilantro, anise, chile and fresh yogurt.  A rounded spoonful of roasted eggplant caviar, paired with sticks of roasted red peppers.  Squares of goat cheese feta for a cubist look, while slivers of sweet potato chips cut the savory flavor of the dish.  Delicate halved fresh figs accompany fresh cherry tomatoes.  The whole thing is topped off with a drizzle of olive oil, crushed almonds and pistachios, escarole and flower petals.

Almost all of the ingredients used  are economical and simple, and grown locally in Mendoza:  eggplant, onion, red pepper, tomato, goat cheese, sweet potatoes (those from nearby Guaymallen are said to be Argentina´s best), almonds, and of course, olive oil.

The audience isn´t filled with wealthy foodies, but with local chefs, eager to learn.  Chef Estruch complies, and presents the same dish 3 different and equally stunning ways.

This is her recipe for success: lively color, fresh local ingredients, and the camraderie of chefs eager to learn from each other.

Masters of Food and Wine Mendoza 2009

 

Somebody pinch me, please--I´m so lucky I can´t believe it!  We´ve spent the last week traipsing all over Mendoza looking for the best food and drink to bring back to you, dear readers.  I can´t wait to tell you about the artisan olive oil press we visited, or the beer we found in the foothills of the Andes, or the stunning wineries thriving under Mendoza´s blazing sun.  I guess I´ll also have to tell you about my night at the Vines of Mendoza, the city´s premier tasting room, and the afternoon we spent at the Finca Adalgisa  sipping the wine made right there at the grounds of the historic guest house.

But today is all about the Masters.  I´ll be in good company:  the event is sponsored by Wine Spectator, LAN airlines (who have all my love after spending 10 hours in the air with our toddler and not throwing us off the plane), and the Argentinean Secretary of Tourism.  It t is hosted at the truly spectacular and historic Grand Hyatt Mendoza. 

The week-long event started in Buenos Aires, but culminates here, in the country´s wine region, with events through this weekend.  Distinguished chefs from around the world will be paired with wineries for gourmet lunches and dinners, and when youré not eating or drinking you can be watching the polo match or the  golf tournament.   

Today I´ll be attending a cooking class led by Spanish Michelin-starred chef Montse Estruch and local pastry wizard Osvaldo Gross.  In the Hyatt´s Salon of Mirrors, wineries and chefs will participate in the Masters of Food and Wine Fair, followed by the American Airlines Cocktail.

I´m so excited to be participating in this event, but best of all, to be able to share it all with you!  On second thought, don´t pinch me--I don´t want to wake up from this dream!