The Greatest Meal Ever Cooked

Tom Colicchio, Michael Symon, Linton Hopkins, Jonathan Benno, Michael White, Christina Tosi, Rich Torrisi, and Mario Carbone…put them all together in a kitchen and you have the “Greatest Meal Ever Cooked.”

Hosted by Esquire Magazine, The Greatest Meal Ever Cooked was an historical culinary event with all proceeds benefiting the Mayor’s Fund’s efforts in providing relief for those affected by Hurricane Sandy. The venue for the dinner was at the beautiful Bowery Hotel in Manhattan. It is very rare to have such an all-star cast of chefs cooking together and it brought out New York’s super-foodie crowd. The dining room was charged with excitement in expectation of the dishes that were going to be coming out of the kitchen and we were behind the scenes and on the line to capture every moment. What the guests could not see was this chef super-group in the kitchen all working together as one team to prep, cook, plate and deliver some of the most amazing food ever! The kitchen was buzzing with great energy, intensity and passion which was reflected in the dishes that kept flowing into the dining room for hours.

Here was the menu:

Hors d’oevres, Mario Carbone & Rich Torrisi
Prosciutto d’ Melone
Raw Tuna and Egglant Spiedini
The Queens Olive
Foie Gras Newburg
Nantucket Bay Scallop Fantasia

First Course, Tom Colicchio
Marinated Hamachi with Roasted Beets and Smoked Creme Fraiche

Second Course, Jonathan Benno
Candele e Tartufo Bianco, Baked Pasta Layered with Bechamel, Cardoons, White Truffle

Third Course, Michael White
Scallops with Butternut Squash Caponata and Black Truffles

Fourth Course, Linton Hopkins
Ash Roasted Pheasant, Hominy Grits, Crisp Kale, Perssimon-Bacon Marmalade and Chestnuts

Fifth Course, Michael Symon
Braised Beef Shank with Shaved Baby Carrots and Radishes

Dessert, Christina Tosi
Pear Sorbet, Pumpkin Ganache, Blue Cheese, Pickled Pear, Cornflake Crunch