PBFWF Recap: Chef Welcome Party at The Breakers

A strong supporter of the annual Palm Beach Food & Wine Festival, The Breakers Weddings & Celebrations Team was honored to host this year’s Chef Welcome Party on the Ocean Lawn last Friday night.

Take a peek inside the official kickoff for this year’s festival…

The special night for foodies and famed chefs featured a “Chefs by The Sea” menu with six unique stations and passed bites by The Breakers Executive Chef Jeff Simms, with delicious wines selected by our Master Sommelier Virginia Philip.

The highlight of the night was a stunning ice sculpture at the entry to the Ocean Lawn. Our team worked with the gurus at Styled Ice to create the incredible piece, which featured 10 real fish frozen inside.

Guests enjoyed a selection of yummy bites passed butler style throughout the evening, including our take on “Bacon & Eggs” with Brown Sugar Bacon Twists and Deviled Eggs (pictured), Foie Gras PBJ, Pork Belly BLT Sliders, Dragon Roll Sushi, Coconut Chicken with Orange Horseradish Sauce and Gobi Manchurian on a Bamboo Stick.

Jeff Simms’ specialty “Chefs by The Sea” menu included six unique stations:

The Hearts of Palm Station featured Hearts of Palm Salad with Grilled Tropical Fruits and Manchego Riserva.

The Caviar & Vodka Station featured Tscar Nicoulai Caviar and Elit by Stoli Vodka.

The Grilled Octopus Station served Grilled Octopus a la Plancha with Fava Bean, Tomato & Mushroom Ragout and Grilled Corn Arepas with Mozzarella Cheese.

At the Shrimp Station, guests enjoyed Butter Poached Florida Shrimp over Boniato Mash with local Mango, Pineapple and Jalapeno Salsa presented in a Coconut Half with Coconut Rum Butter Sauce and Plantain Crisps.

An Avocado Station featured Grilled California Avocado in a Half Shell with Extra Virgin Olive Oil and an assortment of toppings including Mandarin Crab Salad, Mojo Grilled Shredded Pork, Homemade Spicy Guacamole and more.

At the Grill Station, guests enjoyed NY Strip Steak with Chimichurri Sauce and Papaya Chutney, a Crispy Onion Ring Tower (pictured) and Spicy Sweet Potato Waffle Fries.

The evening’s entertainment, provided by Elan Artists, featured a DJ and two exciting performance acts.

For a unique twist on oysters, Oysters XO joined the party and shucked fresh oysters tableside for guests.

A food and wine festival isn’t complete without the wine! Each wine was hand selected by The Breakers Master Sommelier Virginia Philip: JCB “No. 21” Brut, Crémant de Bourgogne, Burgundy, France, N.V., Ca Bolani “Aquilis” Sauvignon Blanc, Friuli, Italy, 2013, Ponzi Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley, Oregon, 2013, Bertrand Ambroise Bourgogne Rouge, Burgundy, France, 2011 and Peter Lehmann “Futures” Shiraz, Barossa Valley, Australia, 2010.

Guests also enjoyed Stella Artois, Voss Water and a Caipiroska Bar by Stoli Vodka.

 {Special thanks to the Palm Beach Food & Wine Festival organizers and the
event’s sponsors: Cheney Brothers, Premier Beverage, Stella Artois and Kia K 900.}