Let’s go on an adventure with TASTE! This week on The Table Set, Greg, Andy and Nathan help plan Andy’s 25th birthday bash: 25 courses for 25 people to celebrate Andy’s 25th year!
Hey Homefries Gang,
Andy here to talk to you about this week’s podcast in which Greg, Nathan and I plan my birthday party.
After not having done much anything to celebrate my birthday for the past several years, I decided to have a large dinner party for my birthday this year. A 25 taste dinner for 25 people for my 25th birthday. How tasteful!
Greg and Nathan were skeptical about pulling this off at first, but with their help we made it happen!
I secured my work kitchen for the venue and confirmed a guest list of 25.
Nathan got me $70 of sherry-spiked sparkling wine for my birthday.
Greg got me $70 of duck fat for my birthday. Yes, we’re ridiculous.
We made duck fat fries, and duck fat donuts… with bourbon syrup and cinnamon sugar. Oh yes.
Greg says that the things you don’t like say more about you than the things you do. I like this funky french hard cider. Most people didn’t. I wonder that says about those people.
There were “media pairings!”
We listened to Tom Waits while chowing on braised lamb shank sandwiches with crisp duck fat fries and Greg’s tomato fig ketchup.
And we listened to David Bowie while watching Labyrinth and sipping on my home-brewed chocolate maple porter.
We mixed up the seating chart. Cool people got to meet other cool people.
What would a birthday be without chocolate? Under the light of beeswax candles, we tasted six different single origin chocolates, each with their flavor experiences.
This meal was an adventure… as indicated by our fun illustrated placemats. Nathan filled his out like a champ.
Having a fun evening of delicious food and drink with so many cool people was the best 25th birthday I could have ever asked for.
Check out the full menu and experience here.
Do you have a favorite taste experience to share? Leave a comment below.
Cheers!
-Andy
Jenn October 10, 2011 at 10:24 am
Wow!
Karen October 10, 2011 at 7:58 pm
That all looks amazing! We should all have birthday parties that spectacular! Can you post the recipe for that ketchup?
Carissa October 11, 2011 at 9:17 am
As I listened to the podcast, I kept thinking about textures and how that plays into people liking or disliking certain foods. I think texture goes right along with taste. It’s like eating buttered popcorn jelly belly candies. Something is just not quite right.
Christine October 13, 2011 at 3:12 pm
This is so incredible! i can’t wait to check out the entire menu
Kristen October 18, 2011 at 7:20 am
That is an epic menu! I can imagine and remember a lot of the flavors! Count me in for your 30 flavors for 30 people on your 30th birthday!
Sauce October 19, 2011 at 11:59 am
Hi guys,
I wanted to bring up Jonah Lehrer’s Proust was a Neuroscientist, more specifically the chapter devoted to Auguste Escoffier and the idea of how we perceive taste and flavors and experiences. I think you would enjoy it if you have not already read it. Listening to this episode made me want to join in on the discussion of how taste and flavors and the brain all intermingle. It’s really fantastic. Keep up the joyful experiences.
Amy October 23, 2011 at 7:34 pm
Oh my god. I’m so glad this party happened. So many wonderful ideas here!
Nathan (ChocoMeat) October 28, 2011 at 4:08 pm
Sauce, we should have had you as a guest! I will def look that one up, thanks! Omg Carissa, yes on the Buttered Popcorn Jelly Bellies!!!!