2019 CATIES

BEST SMALL PLATE

what’s krakenSLICED OCTOPUS CEVICHE

MUCH LIKE THE MYTHOLOGICALKRAKEN, WE WANTED A MYSTIFYINGSMALL PLATE THAT WOULD LEAVE AMASSIVE IMPRESSION. The theme of this event, “confetti”,called for vibrant colors, intriguingdesigns, and lively decor. As guestsapproached our innovative slide wallsthat displayed the dish, the bright pinkflare of the rosewater crisp andvivid passion fruit gel immediatelydrew them near, like a siren call forthese creative-minded guests.As this event called for a lot of mingling,our chefs also kept functionality in mind when designing this dish, as the finished product allowed the guest to pick one up and tote this edible artaround as they chatted with others.

synopsis

DURING AN EVENT WHERE EVERYLITTLE DETAIL NEEDED TO “WOW”THE FOCUS BECAME HOW TO MAKETHE FOOD STAND OUT AS EDIBLEART WITHOUT COMPETING.

Thankfully we have a skilled team ofdesigners and chefs, allowing thefood and the decor to flow harmoniously.Our chef’s took inspiration from traditional Spanish cuisine to Craft thisPlate, using What’s Kraken to complementour other chicken fideo, crispy spiced eggplant, and goat cheese small plates.Together, they formed an elegantlyconcocted area, pleasing both the eyeand the taste buds without overwhelmingeither.

concept

productionWHEN VISUAL APPEAL IS JUST ASIMPORTANT TO OUR CLIENT ASTASTE, CAREFUL PLANNING,PREPARATION, AND EXECUTIONTAKE US THE EXTRA MILE.

As this dish was part of a widelyorchestrated event with multiplestatement dishes throughout the evening,we paid special attention to keeping assembly as simple on site as it madesense. The octopus was pre-sliced &marinated prior to the event. On site,the chefs assembled the octopus alongwith the rosewater crisp and passion fruitpuree as instructed to them duringprior instructional sessions. Incredibleplanning by our overall team wasagain, the strategy to the perfectexecution of this meticulous dish.

AS ANYONE WHO HAS ATTEMPTED TOPREPARE OR TO ENJOY OCTOPUS KNOWS,IT’S INCREDIBLY COMMON TO GETOVERCOOKED AND TOUGH DISHES.

Our chefs concocted a method to slowbraise the octopus, precisely timing thestart of the braise with the moment it wasexpected to be prepared onsite. Anymiscalculation would have resulted inthe tough dish of our fears.

Along with the Kraken dish, we alsohad to anticipate any delays in set updue to the location in a busy BMWshowroom, requiring most assemblyto be done last minute & quickly. Ourback of house space also shared a locationwith their service department that could not beinterrupted from their day-to-day business,meaning we had to not only be quick, quiet, &efficient, but also as small as possible.

challenges

recipe1 LB OCTOPUS, COOKED.5 RED ONIONMINCED LIME JUICE & ZEST1 BUNCH CILANTRO, CHOPPED FINE1 SERRANO PEPPER, SEEDED AND MINCED1 CUP PASSION FRUIT PUREE8 EA ROSEWATER CRISPS

Directions: Thinly slice the octopus and transfer to a medium sized mixing bowl. Add the red onion, lime juice and zest, cilantro and serrano to the bowl. Cover and refrigerate for 20 minutes, allowing flavors to fully develop. Plate 2 oz of the ceviche into 8 small plates or low bowls. Decorate the plate with dots of passion fruit puree and 1 rosewater crisp.