Last night, some of the best chefs in Central Florida came together to celebrate the one year anniversary of Soco in Thornton Park.
What resulted was a chef’s equivalent of a culinary jam session – led by Chef Greg Richie of Soco with visiting guest performers Chef Henry Salgado of Spanish River Grill and Chef Andres Mendoza of Norman’s Restaurant at the Ritz Carlton Orlando, with Soco’s pastry chef Kellie Walsh rounding out the playlist. Chef Camilo Velasco, recently named chef de cuisine at chef Norman Van Aken’s upcoming Mount Dora restaurant also made a special appearance.
We were invited to celebrate with Soco as they commemorated one successful year of Southern Contemporary Cuisine. The meal began with a light shrimp appetizer on top of creamy corn risotto with a lovely olive oil crunch by Chef Henry Salgado, followed by a sous vide then grilled Florida cobia dish by Chef Andres Mendoza. Chef Greg Richie’s dishes were main attraction of course and they did not disappoint – a celebration of Soco and the new Baoery as well with the KFC Korean Fried Chicken steamed bao bun and then slow roasted pork belly over grits with carmelized fig. The meal ended with a sweet parting – Meyer Lemon “Moon Pies” with Soco’s pastry chef Kellie Walsh.
Here are 5 Delicious Courses from Soco’s 1 Year Anniversary Dinner
Shrimp Cremoso – Cape Canaveral White Shrimp, Smoked Sweet Corn Risotto, Piquillos, Blackened Queso Blanco, Olive Oil Crunch by Chef Henry Salgado of Spanish River Grill
Florida Cobia with Zellwood Corn Crema, Preserved White Asparagus, Huitlacoche Sponge Cake by Chef Andres Mendoza of Norman’s Restaurant of Orlando.
Huitlacoche, or corn smut, is a type of corn fungus originating from Mexico that is grown in only two states legally – Louisiana and Florida. This Huitlacoche was sourced from a farm in North Florida, chef Andres tells us.
KFC Bao – Korean Fried Chicken between a steamed bun with Fermented Radish and a sweet chili sauce by Chef Greg Richie of Soco and Baoery Restaurants
Slow Roasted Pork Belly on Goat Cheese Grits with carmelized fig and molasses gastrique by Chef Greg Richie
Meyer Lemon “Moon Pies” with marshmallow cheesecake filling and berry cola reduction by Chef Greg Richie and Kellie Walsh of Soco and Baoery
A happy one year anniversary to the Soco team and may they have many more to come!
Soco Thornton Park
629 E Central Blvd, Orlando, FL 32801, United States
+1 407-849-1800
www.socothorntonpark.com
