Chef Brian Lewis Welcomes Chef Didier Elena in First "Guest Chefs Series"

Join Chef Brian Lewis on Thursday, June 12th as he welcomes internationally renowned chef Didier Elena of Chef's Club by Food & Wine to the first of the “Guest Chef Series” hosted by elm restaurant.  Chef Lewis told CTbites, “I am excited to begin this series of regularly scheduled events where I will partner with chefs who share my passion for dishes that are inspired by the seasons.” The first in his series is entitled "June Flavors from the French Riviera to the Connecticut River.”  

    

Both chefs will prepare dishes based on the seasonal flavors found in their local region. Chef Elena, a native of Monaco and a two-decade veteran chef under Chef Alain Ducasse, will prepare dishes reflecting the hallmarks of pure, minimal ingredients of southern French-Mediterranean cuisine. Chef Lewis will focus on the abundant ingredients found locally in southern Connecticut, mostly from neighboring Millstone Farm. 

Chef Lewis is thrilled to share his kitchen with such a renowned chef, who brings passion for a cuisine that was instrumental in his culinary development. He worked with the Marco Pierre White group in France and subsequently traveled and dined throughout southern France refining his skills on the nuances of this cuisine. Chef Elena is recognized as one of France’s most exceptional chefs. He spent the last several years overseeing two of France’s most renowned two Michelin-starred restaurants, La Chèvre d’or and Hotel Le Château des Crayères.

The French-inspired menu will feature cocktails and hors D’oeuvres, followed by a five-course dinner. A sampling of the hors D’oeuvres include a smoked bacon tart and peas, a Lobster “roll” brioche and caviar and chilled Wellfleet oysters with yuzu koshu and ginger mignonette, plus a few other choices. The five-course will capture the flavors of spring with a beautiful salad followed by pasta, a grilled fish and a delicious pork creation. To finish the evening a special dessert will be prepared by returning Pastry Chef Caryn Stabinsky.

Stay tuned as elm and CTbites announce the next in this series that will feature dining under the stars on June 26^th and a special pig-inspired feast in July.

For tickets to this special evening with Chefs Lewis and Elena please email info@elmrestaurant.com or call 203.920.4994. The price is $150 per person (tax and gratuity extra) and includes cocktails and hors D’oeuvres commencing at 6:00PM and the five-course menu with wine pairings that begins at 7:00PM.