Knife & Spoon, the signature steak & seafood restaurant led by award-winning Chef John Tesar at the Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes celebrated its first anniversary last night with a very special five-course celebration dinner event on Thursday, Oct. 7, with celebrity chef and Knife & Spoon founder John Tesar, James Beard award nominee chef de cuisine Gerald Sombright, and Executive Pastry Chef Stephane Cheramy, all from within the resort. Joining them were special guest chefs Alex Seidel of Denver (Best Chef: Southwest James Beard Foundation Award in 2018) and Top Chef finalist Casey Thompson.
Since opening Knife and Spoon has been awarded Orlando Weekly’s “Best New Restaurant 2020, #1”, USA Today 10Best “Best New Restaurant in 2020, #2”, The Daily Meal “Most Anticipated Restaurant Openings 2020”.
The event benefited Parramore Kidz Zone which aims to reduce juvenile crime, teen pregnancy, and high school drop-out rates in Orlando’s highest poverty, highest crime neighborhood, and ultimately replicate this model in other Orlando neighborhoods also struggling with disproportionately high rates of juvenile crime, school failure and teen pregnancy. PKZ is achieving this by investing in things that make a difference in children’s lives – such as quality early childhood education, after school programs, programs that build family economic success, youth development programs for teenagers, access to health care, mentoring and more.
Here are photos from the Knife & Spoon Anniversary Celebration:
Amuse Bouche – Oyster with Passmore Caviar
First Course Course by Chef Gerald Sombright
Charred Octopus, Ink Aioli, Nduja Lentils, Stone Crab, Fried Green Tomato
Second Course by Chef John Tesar
Sauterne Risotto, First Of The Season Nantucket Scallops, Cru, Age Foie Gras Essence
Third Course by Chef Alex Siedel
Aged Peking Duck, Charred Strawberry, Fennel Pollen, Pistachio
Fourth Course by Chef Casey Thompson
Olive Fed Japanese A5 Wagyu, Sungold Tomato Butter, Black Garlic, Basil
Beef Cheek Hand Pie, Bone Marrow, Truffle
1 Year Dry Aged Steak by Chef John Tesar
Sorbert with Grapefruit
Dessert By Chef Stephane Cheramy
Pumpkin Mousse, Cranberry Hibiscus Sorbet, Spice Fruits Of The Fall, Spiced Gingersnap Crumble
Petit Fours
THE CHEFS
CHEF JOHN TESAR
John Tesar was called “the single most talented cook I ever worked with” by Anthony Bourdain. Tesar also enjoys the pseudonym Jimmy Sears in Bourdain’s bestselling memoir KITCHEN CONFIDENTIAL and in MEDIUM RAW. An iconoclastic celebrity of the food world, Tesar came up as a chef in New York City at 13 Barrow St, 44 & Hell’s Kitchen, Vine, and the Supper Club. Chef Tesar opened KNIFE & SPOON located in the The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grands Lakes in fall 2020.
CHEF GERALD SOMBRIGHT
A James Beard Award nominee, Chef Gerald’s culinary skillset has taken him all across the United States, and was chosen to be a contestant on Top Chef season 14, filmed in Charleston. Currently opening Knife and Spoon at the Ritz Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes. Gerald is a frequent featured talent at some of the country’s most sought out culinary festivals including Aspen, Atlanta, Charleston, and Pebble Beach. He was also featured at the James Beard House once again in 2019 for Silvia Barban’s inaugural dinner. Gerald is also a level-two certified WSET Sommelier.
CHEF STEPHANE CHERAMY
Have you ever taken a bite of dessert and been immediately transported to a state of bliss? Executive Pastry Chef Stephane Cheramy strives to deliver this experience with every confection he serves. He currently oversees an international team of 30 pastry cooks and bakers. Along the way he has also trained pastry chefs for Ritz-Carlton Worldwide and participated in and judged numerous pastry competitions. Chef Cheramy loves desserts which combine sensations of fresh, creamy, and crunchy, and diners can expect to find this style of addictive confection at our hotels.
SPECIAL GUEST CHEFS
CHEF ALEX SEIDEL
Born in Wisconsin, Seidel began his culinary career young, and attended culinary school at Western Culinary Institute in Portland, Oregon, finishing at the top of his class. Alex has been the recipient of many accolades, including Food & Wine Magazine’s Best New Chef in 2010, and Seidel was awarded the 2018 James Beard Foundation Best Chef: South West. Alex very much enjoys furthering the culture of cuisine all the while staying down to earth and championing such causes as food advocacy, mindfulness when it comes to eating habits and waste.
CHEF CASEY THOMPSON
A Texas native, Chef Casey Thompson is one of America’s most forwardthinking and innovative chefs. She credits her global travels for inspiring her unconventional techniques, picking up influences from culinary destinations as far afield and diverse as Thailand and Argentina. Chef Casey Thompson Launched Folktable Restaurant at Cornerstone Sonoma in December 2020. Situated at the gateway between San Francisco and Sonoma wine country, Folktable fuses the best of both worlds, offering elevated cuisine in a casual garden marketplace setting.
Knife & Spoon at Ritz Carlton Orlando
4012 Central Florida Parkway
Orlando, FL 32837 United States
+1 (407) 206-2400
