We love to take advantage of the opportunity to hire a private chef while staying in Quintess homes. The kitchens are so well equipped and beautiful! Because we generally don't cook while on vacation, we ask our Hosts to help us sort through the chefs they have already vetted for other Members and guests.
Before arriving in Deer Valley, I arranged a surprise birthday celebration for my hubby and one of our friends, both of whom had celebrated their birthdays in the week prior to our travels. Our Host listened to my requests and suggested The Laughing Pear Group. They did an incredible job of sourcing delicious, seasonal, organic ingredients. Creating a menu in advance was simple since the chef and I are both enthusiastic about locavores. On the afternoon of the surprise, our group of six encouraged our birthday guys to shop with us in Park City after a full day of skiing. While dawdling and delaying them from returning to the home, Chef Ann prepared the appetizers, which included spoons mounded with wild mushroom risotto, whipped smoked salmon encased in paper thin cucumber wraps, and delicate, individual bites of caramelized onion tarts.
Her smiling assistant asked us to be seated at the beautifully set table where we enjoyed a salad of organic field greens, caramelized pears, roasted slivers of sweet potatoes and vegetable chips, moistened by blood orange segments and raspberry vinaigrette. Sunset pink Utah trout was up next, served alongside garlicky, wilted spinach and bright green, chived rice pilaf.
Our chef had inquired about what our two birthday celebrants enjoy for dessert and the choice was easy since they both love anything apple. She prepared a sumptuous Granny Smith apple galette with shimmering, fuchsia raspberry compote, candied pecans and Grand Marnier Creme au glaze. She even made her own vanilla bean ice cream to top it off.
Our home Hosts surprised us with congratulatory hugs and vases full of bright spring tulips to adorn our table. The birthday celebration for Jeff and Mony was a memorable evening, indeed!
