Karla's first post from the World Pastry Forum in Phoenix
Well, I made it!! The plane trip(s) was great. I am flying everywhere now!! Phoenix is beautiful. I was able to take a quick tour of the city when I got here yesterday, some of these homes are amazing!! I have already been to one of the malls, The Market-Place. It is on 1600 acres and is like a serpentine chain of stores with humidity spraying cooling docks positioned thru out the compound. Last night one of my fellow pastry chefs took me out to eat at Roy's. Famed Hawaiian restaurateur Roy Yamaguchi's renowned Hawaiian fusion cuisine is sizzling in flavor and style. I was very impressed. It was exciting to see and sample the impressive menu. Gary (Pastry chef) previously worked on a cruise line that sailed the Hawaiian islands and met Roy while he was there. He started his Asian-influenced cuisine restaurants there in 1988, using fresh local ingredients. The Aloha style service was entertaining and welcoming. He now has several restaurants here in the U.S. Our Amuse Bouche was Edamame. I let Gary do the ordering since he was on a mission. He told me that he doesn't gamble, so when he goes out he EATS!! We shared the Canoe Appetizer, a large white china boat that had amazing treats inside. First there where crispy fried lobster pot stickers, WOW! then an amazingly crunchy Ahi Tuna roll(My favorite) Then there was a huge Hawaiian shrimp Skewer and a steak skewer. Their sauces were so packed with flavor I thought my taste buds were going to explode!! We split the Arugula-Asian Pear salad, the vinaigrette was wonderful, I wanted to lick my plate! Gary ordered the Butter fish, a deep sea fish from out of the pacific & i got the blackened Ahi tuna, rare. I had never had butter fish and it was amazingly delicious. The texture went beyond any fish that I had ever had and the only way to describe it was that it was just like butter melting in your mouth. After feeling like I could not eat another bite Gary told the waiter that we would like a sampling of all the desserts on the menu with a wine pairing for each! OMG!!! 20 minutes later we had another canoe brought out loaded with deserts. There was a chocolate souffle, with a vanilla Ice cream. A blueberry-mango tart with Lavender ice cream in a Lacey tulle basket. An apple tart with another cream, topped with a beautiful sugar decoration. Quite overwhelming. With spoon in hand I felt like Anthony Bourdaine!! The wines were exceptional as well. After feeling like I was Violet in Willy Wonka and thinking I was gonna have to be rolled out of the restaurant, we headed out to the patio for some live music and some beautiful scenery. I must say my first day in Phoenix was quite extraordinary. Today I register for the Forum and take in some more of this city along with some water play. Most of the chefs will be arriving throughout the day so this evening should be quite exciting. I'll keep you posted as I go.
Sincerely,
Me :-)