Around the World in 10000 Bites…100 Guests Dine on 100 Courses from 10 Countries

This past weekend was a unique experience that I was able to to have a preview of that brought to our city a unique gastronomic experience like no other I have ever witnessed. Around the World in 10,000 Bites was a dinner planned and executed under the direction of Chef David Skinner, of Eculent, at the Houston Museum of Natural Science, that began at 6:00 p.m. and lasted until almost midnight. 100 Guests were served 100 courses of bites, accompanied by carefully matched wines and spirits, each coming out in groups of 10 courses from each of the featured countries. The 10 countries were represented, by course. The 10 nations represented were United States, France, Spain, Italy, Mexico, Brazil, Pakistan, Nicaragua, Japan and the Philippines. The concept by Skinner was “around the world” where he would take each guest’s palate on a journey across these 10 countries. It should be noted that when this five hour dinner had ended Skinner reminded all that each guest had consumed about four pounds of food and each left inspired to look forward to when this amazing evening could possibly happen again!

“Houston and in particular, HMNS gets to be the place to premiere this experience in gastronomy, and it’s hard to beat the surroundings. It will truly be a historic epicurean milestone with over 10,000 bites being served in one seating. And if people are too full to drive, we have a great hotel partner across the street at ZaZa Houston.”

Chef David Skinner

Participating chefs included Skinner and Duarte. Also, local chefs David and Michael Cordua, Kaiser Lakshari (Himalaya), Javier Becerra (MAD), and Brandon Silva (Wooster Garden). Other chefs traveling in included Manu Buffara (Manu in Brazil), Aaron Bludorn (Café Bolud,NYC) also opening in Houston next year; Medwin Pang (Hunger Pang,NYC) Luc McCabe (Ontario Canada), Daisue Itagake (Tokyo, Japan), Jason Niederkorn (Palm Springs). Stacey Mullen (Eculent, Kemah, Texas) plus more. It should be noted that there were several women chefs. included…..“

Thank heaven long gone are the days when being a professional Chef was a ‘Man’s World’…..after all some of the best food people hunger for is ‘Grandma’s or Mom’s’ recipes……”, says Chef Skinner.

It should also be noted the woman-owned Hollywood TV Production company, helmed by Ruth McCartney, step-sister of Paul McCartney, flew in with her family and partners, her Mom, Angie McCartney and hubby Marty Nethercutt as well as her film crew from L.A. to capture this once in a lifetime event for an upcoming international documentary.

Proceeds from Around the World in 10,000 bites benefits breast cancer research in honor of Skinner’s friend, chef Dominique Crenn, recently diagnosed with breast cancer and James Beard Foundation.

The following are some edited highlights from this spectacular evening……

all photos provided by Jack Potts; Watita Holt

Bubbles and Baubles

Lastly, it was a thrill for me to have been invited by the McCartneys to attend the V.I.P. event the night before the big dinner. How impressive was that! Bubbles and Baubles, presented by David Skinner and all of the Chefs, was a Champagne and Caviar reception in the amazing McFerrin Fabergé Collection wing of the Houston Museum of Natural Science. We were able to meet many of the Chefs for the big event and taste a sampling of many of the courses being featured the next night. The event was sponsored by Sterling Caviar, which was plentiful for all of us to taste by the spoonful while sipping on Voiri Jumel champagne. The Fabergé wing which I have visited a before this evening, never ceases to amaze me with the splendor of the collection. Such a fun evening and great way to meet and mingle with many of the chefs participating in the Saturday night event.