Peruvian food is making headlines around the world and our members enjoyed an assortment of fine tastes of Peru at Chicha, under the guidance of Chef Shelome Bouvette, recent winner of a People's Choice award at the Vancouver Wine Festival. Our members filled the small restaurant and enjoyed a reception of Fried Plantains with a trio of Peruvian chili and huacatay (Peruvian black mint) dips paired with an Argentinian wine, Pascual Toso Brut Chardonnay from Mendoza, Peruvian wines being essentially unavailable in Vancouver.
Our dinner started with Chalaco Ceviche of albacore tuna, wild salmon and spring halibut, with fresh orange, leche de Tigre marinade and rocoto chili dusted calamari followed by Cangrego y Camaron Causa, Dungeness crab, mango and avocado layered with Aji Amarillo chili whipped and chilled potato, topped with cherry tomato and corn salsa and poached side stripe prawns – both dishes paired with 2015 Finca El Origen Torrontés Reserva from Salta, Argentina and 2013 Casa Lapostolle Chardonnay Cuvée Alexandre from the Atalayas Vineyard in Casablanca Valley, Chile.
Delicious Duck Confit Empanadas - 5 spice duck confit empanadas with reduced Peruvian purple corn and blueberry sauce – were presented with a 2014 Undurraga Terroir Hunter Pinot Noir from the Leyda Valley, Chile and our last savoury course was Dark Beer and Cilantro braised Pork Cheeks, served with sautéed pea shoots, bacon, celery root gnocchi, sweety pepper and apple jam paired with a super 2013 Domaine Bousquet Grande Reserve Malbec from Mendoza, Argentina.
Finally, our sweet tooth was satisfied with a plate of Picarones - sweet potato and pumpkin donuts freshly fried with orange spiced honey and Pisco raspberry couli, a delicious ending to a very fine meal.
Our thanks go to Chef Shelome Bouvette and manager Yumiko Umeno and kitchen manager Alison Flook and, of course, to our photographer Milena Robertson for her visual record of the evening.
|
