Orlando, FL (March 18, 2015) – Sixteen chefs from some of Central Florida’s best restaurants accepted a unique challenge issued by Ronald McDonald House Charities®of Central Florida for their Appetite for the Arches fundraiser held on March 7 at the Orlando World Center Marriott. The concept? Use McDonald’s® ingredients to create a signature dish. In the event’s second year, over 500 guests sampled gourmet creations such as filet of fish tacos and fried chicken terrine with truffled egg puree, each served with a wine pairing. Additionally, mixologists from Cask & Larder and The Ravenous Pig prepared signature cocktails with McDonald’s® ingredients.
Participating restaurants included:
| · 4Rivers Smokehouse · Cask & Larder |
· Orlando World Center Marriott · Paxia Modern Mexican & Tequila Lounge |
| · The Smiling Bison | · Ravello Restaurant at Four Seasons Orlando |
| · Cuisiniers Catering · Emeril’s Tchoup Chop |
· SeaWorld Parks & Resorts Orlando · Hamilton’s Kitchen at the Alfond Inn |
| · The Ravenous Pig · K Restaurant |
· The Rusty Spoon · Chef’s Table at the Edgewater |
| · LUMA on Park | · Txokos Basque Kitchen |
The event, presented by the Central Florida McDonald’s Association, raised nearly $180,000 for the two Ronald McDonald Houses in Orlando and the families they serve. One of those families was there to talk about how the charity has been a part of their healing process. Sixteen year old Emma Kleckner, who was diagnosed with a rare condition that causes debilitating pain, addressed event guests and shared how her experience staying at the Ronald McDonald House helped put her on the road to recovery. “Being at the Ronald McDonald House, I was able to stay focused on getting better. I was able to have the support of other families. Likewise, we were able to support them,” said Emma.
Families who stay at Ronald McDonald House are asked to make a small donation of $20 per night. However, 70 percent of families are unable to contribute anything towards their stay. The organization promises to never turn away anyone due to an inability to donate— a promise that is upheld thanks in part to funds raised at Appetite for the Arches.
SeaWorld Parks & Resorts Orlando // Chef Hector Colon
Mac Daddy Godzilla Roll: Fried maki roll stuffed with shrimp, cream cheese, and shredded carrots topped with Wasabi Big Mac Sauce
Bacon Habanero Ranch Quarter Pounder Chop Salad: Crispy greens, bacon, cheese, diced tomato, burger bun croutons, grilled and diced quarter pounder burger tossed on a Habanero Ranch dressing
K Restaurant // Chef Kevin Fonzo
Cola BBQ Meatballs: Smoked meatball, Coca-Cola BBQ sauce, pickled cucumber
Rusty Spoon // Chef Kathleen Blake
“Red Devil” Eggs: Candied bacon, dill, aioli
Paxia Modern Mexican Cuisine // Chef Patricio Estrella
Mexican Meatball: Southwest vegetables
Ravello at Four Seasons Resort Orlando // Chef Donald Taylor
Classic Lasagna Bolognese: Beefsteak bolognese, bagel pasta, bechamel
Orange “Hi-C” Gelato
Txokos Basque Kitchen // Chef Henry Salgado + Chef Michele Salgado
Fish Tacos: Pico de Gallo, avocado, salsa, mandarin crema
The Smiling Bison // Chef Josh Oakley
Big Mac Meatloaf: French fry mashed potatoes, Coca-Cola glaze, Big Mac sauce
Marriott Orlando World Center // Chef Michael Cutter
Spicy Chicken Scotch Egg: Soft cooked whole egg, spicy chicken sausage, house pickle slaw, spicy hollandaise
Cask & Larder // Chef James Petrakis
Fried Chicken Terrine: Truffled egg puree, pickled tomato salad
Cuisiniers Catering // Chef Jamie McFadden
McChicken Meatballs: Sofrito, guacamole, tortilla strips
Hamilton’s Kitchen // Chef Marc Kusche
Egg Meets Biscuit and Bacon: Poached egg, caramelized onions, candied bacon, hollandaise
Emeril’s Tchoup Chop // Chef Ryan Vargas
Spicy Chicken “BLT” Chicken Sushi Rice Bowl: Spicy chicken, sushi rice bowl, guacamole
Luma on Park // Chef Derek Perez
Pork Sparerib “McRib”: Cherry Coca-Cola and Chipotle glaze, pain ‘dor sesame bun, pickles
Luma on Park // Chef William Herrera
Lobster Sausage “McGriddle”: Tarragon mustard, maple syrup glazed shallots, pain d’or corn muffin, watermelon radish
Luma on Park // Chef Brian Cernell
“Soft Serve” Strawberry Ice Cream: Rabbit run farms strawberries, oatmeal
Van Gogh Vodka
Signature Cocktail: Strawberry Lemonade with Van Gogh Vodka
4 Rivers Smokehouse & The Coop // Chef John Rivers
Bacon-Wrapped Meatloaf Lollipop: Applewood smoked bacon and mashed potatoes
The Ravenous Pig // Chef Julie Petrakis
Creamsicle Parfait: Vanilla bean yogurt panna cotta, mandarin compote, granola
Chef’s Table at the Edgewater // Chef Kevin Tarter
Chef’s Table Berries Saute: Saute berries, toasted biscuit, whipped cream
About Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Florida: Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Florida finds, creates and supports programs that directly improve the health and well-being of children and families. The cornerstone program, the Ronald McDonald House®, provides a home away from home that offers comfort and care to families with children receiving treatment at local hospitals and medical facilities in Orlando. There are two Ronald McDonald Houses in Orlando— one on the campus of Florida Hospital for Children and one on the campus of Arnold Palmer Medical Center. Since opening in 1996, the two Houses have served over 22,000 families. A third Ronald McDonald House will open in December 2015 on the campus of Nemours Children’s Hospital in Lake Nona.
