 |
| Left to right, Nick Meyer and Stephen Blackburn of Ocean Lodge |
When you emerge from the elevator onto the roof deck
restaurant at the Ocean Lodge on Beachview Drive, St. Simons, the first thing
you say is, “Wow!” In fact, that might be the only thing you can say for a few
minutes, because the sheer splendor of the panoramic ocean view from three
stories up will take your breath away. When you come to your senses, you
realize you are in charming restaurant, with an elegant, relaxed style plus an
indoor and outdoor dining space. It’s a good thing that all the fresh air and
ocean breezes encourage the appetite, because the food is top-notch.
In
fact, the Ocean Lodge makes a habit of coming out on top. At last year’s A
Taste of Glynn, they took first place honors in the Appetizer and Tablescape
categories. This year, they have their plan of attack all worked out to compete
in the Appetizer and Soup categories, and they are hungry to win.
Ocean
Lodge Executive Chef Nick Meyer and Sous Chef Stephen Blackburn have deep roots
in the culinary arts. Nick started out working in restaurants at the tender age
of 14, graduated from the prestigious Le Cordon Bleu, and progressed in his
career to dazzle guests in resorts, restaurants and banquet operations. Stephen
took on the role as his family’s designated cook at a young age, and then went
into the business in two popular restaurant chains. Between them, they have an
impressive war chest of experience to share, especially when it comes to
entertaining outdoors.
“In
our coastal location, the ocean breeze is a plus for keeping the temperature
comfortable, but it can give you problems serving food outside,” Nick Meyer
explained. “Pay close attention to the wind direction. Even if you need to
stage another serving area for the rest of your food, plan to serve your hot
foods, especially the proteins, from a location as close to the wall of the
building as you can.”
How
about menu planning for a cocktail party? “It works well to include at least
two protein sources, like chicken and seafood,” Stephen advised. “Be sure to
offer something in addition to seafood, in the event that some of your guest
can’t eat shellfish, for example. We like to include a vegetarian or
fruit-based item with some goat cheese, plus some grilled veggies and dips.
Usually, limiting the passed hors d’oeuvres to 2 to 4 items works best.”
What’s
the secret to creating a great appetizer? As with many other food matters, the
Ocean Lodge experts advise home chefs to “keep it simple.”
“When
it’s your party at home, limit the labor and keep the number of ingredients
low,” Nick explained. “You don’t want to be too tired to enjoy your guests! An
appetizer should be easy to hold and only a bite or two in size.”
What
would the two chefs like for someone to prepare for them? Stephen would order a
dinner of veal and collard greens, with a dessert of chocolate molten lava cake
topped with ice cream and Heath bar crunch. Nick prefers a simple grilled
cheese sandwich and tomato soup, with an Ocean Lodge banana spring roll, fried
and topped with cinnamon sugar for dessert. If you were imagining him opening a
familiar red-label can, we hate to burst your bubble. His soup would be
homemade from scratch from vintage tomatoes, simmered slowly …you get the
picture. Chefs!
Which
celebrity chef does each man admire? Stephen appreciates Alton Brown of the
Food Network’s Good Eats for his
scientific, factual approach. Nick likes the Travel Channel’s caustic, witty
author and TV star, Anthony Bourdain,
Nick,
Stephen and their Ocean Lodge crew will compete for your vote for The People’s
Choice Award at A Taste of Glynn this year, as well as prizes in menu-specific
judged categories. They will also put their white hats in the ring for the
inaugural Celebrity Chef’s Choice Award, judged this year by Chef Holly Chute,
Executive Chef of the Georgia Governor’s Mansion. The annual celebration of
food, fun and music is on March 25, 2012, from 5-8 pm. at the King and Prince
Beach and Golf Resort. Tickets are available at the King and Prince, and
SunTrust Bank locations on Demere Road and Sea Island Road on St. Simons. In
Brunswick, purchase tickets at LaiLai’s, Hattie’s Books, color me happy and
Moore Stephens Tiller LLC. Or call the Glynn Community Crisis Center at
264-1348.
Photo by Lindy Thompson of Golden Isles Photography
No comments:
Post a Comment