An Evening at Charlie Trotter's

Our stay at K/BIS last week began with a very special event. A select group was on hand at Charlie Trotter's in Chicago for an exclusive TurboChef demonstration with Chef Trotter himself. Not only does Chef Trotter use commercial TurboChef ovens in his restaurants, he has a residential version in his studio kitchen.

In this setting, Chef put on a quite a show for our audience, using his TurboChef 30" Double Wall Speedcook Oven to cook extraordinary dishes with extraordinary speed. It was a vivid reminder of just how remarkable this oven is. I see it demonstrated and cook with it every day, yet I am still thrilled and amazed when I see new foods prepared in it – particularly in a location that has been named the best restaurant in the world.

In a little less than thirty minutes, Chef Trotter had prepared, cooked and plated the following dishes as we looked on.

Roasted Monkfish with Baby Carrots, Iowa Spiced Fatback & Shallot Marmalade
TurboChef time: 9 minutes

Lemon-Ricotta Soufflé with Rhubarb Compote
TurboChef time: 2 minutes

After the demonstration, the group adjourned to the dining room where we were treated to an exceptional menu. Again, Chef Trotter prepared each item in the TurboChef Speedcook Oven, and each one was a delight for the senses. The unique presentation, the flavor, the remarkable pairing of food and wine – all of it made for a wonderful experience. When asked for his opinion on the evening, Stephen Weiner of Abt Electronics in Chicago, summed things up well:

“Listening to Charlie speak about the oven's performance and it meeting his high standards was a testament to the product. I was impressed to know the TurboChef products were being used daily in one of the finest restaurants in the world. The monkfish was most memorable and the Eyrie Vineyards Pinot from Oregon complimented the delicate flavors of the perfectly prepared fish. It boggles the mind to know the fish was roasted in less than four minutes.”

We thank everyone who attended the evening and extend a special thanks to Chef Trotter and his remarkable staff at Charlie Trotter's for an evening of excellence. For an inside look at the evening, we've complied a slide show for your viewing.