Into the Soup with Chef Mecinas of the Four Seasons
This week, I was invited back to Into the Soup with Heidi Lee, a weekly radio show hosted by vivacious Heidi Lee Simpson (click here for my behind-the-scenes with Chef Matt Taylor of Gertrude's on a prior show). Sponsored by the Arizona Culinary Institute, her goal is to support the local culinary scene with Arizona's many talented chefs, farmers, businesses, and purveyors. Due to a technical glitch, we had the lovely bonus of spending time with Chef Mel at the beautiful Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North on two separate occasions. Chef Mel could not have been more gracious to take time out of his busy schedule AND spoil us each time with creative cocktails and his delicious menu. Look for it to air this Saturday on KWSS 93.9 at noon. Here are some photos from behind the scenes.
"Take one" started with breakfast and excellent Blood Marys from Proof on a Sunday morning surrounded by the panoramic beauty of the Sonoran desert on Talavera's patio.
As we spent some time with Chef Mel, we learned about the special menus for the holiday weekend, including vegetarian and multi-course Valentine's Day menus, and champagne specials.
Want to know what the Soup of the Week and the Weekly Whet your Whistle featuring Press Coffee are? Tune into the show and get the details on Into the Soup's website.
Unfortunately, due to the foibles of modern technology, we needed to re-record the show, this time on an evening paired with dishes from Onyx Bar and Lounge and Nick Padua's new cocktails. It was even more fun the second time!
As we laughed and chatted our way through the show, we were treated to ahi tuna tartare a la Nicoise with olives and quail egg, smoked salmon flatbread with chorizo, avocado, and tequila crème fraîche, escargot fritters with pistou, and a cheese and charcuterie board. Thank you Chef Mel!
We enjoyed a special treat with Nick Padua and four of his fantastic cocktails with mezcal. Tune in on Saturday as he describes his inspirations for the mezcal Old Fashioned with orange bitters, Cherry Loca (Fernet, mezcal, ginger beer, lime, luxardo syrup), My Word (mezcal, grapefruit, habanero tincture, and tiki bitters), and the Smoking Angus (mezcal, honey simple syrup, apple cider, Angostura bitters, shaken with egg whites).
Thanks for having me on the show Heidi!