Last week I had the privilege of spending the day with a few of my favorite bloggers and brands in the gorgeous kitchen theatre at the Epicurean Hotel. But before I go too deep on the day I want to wish a VERY Happy 70th Birthday to the man who is responsible for the event coming to life. The one, the only Don Odiorne of Famous Idaho Potatoes.
If you have met Don you know that he is not only a true gentleman but THE most enthusiastic person you will ever met when it comes to potatoes and life in general, I am honored to call him a friend.
Happy Birthday Dr, Potato!
{here’s Don taking a momentary break from potatoes to serve up one of potatoes best flavor friends, onions.}
Don’s dream, I found out after the event, was to bring together influencers, brands and Idaho Potatoes for a full day immersion around knife skills and how to use them to create recipes featuring potatoes. Well, not only did Don’s dream come to life but I think all the attendees would agree that it was a dream event as well. Thank you to my good friend Isabel, of the Sunday Supper Movement for pulling us all together!
It was such a treat to spend the day with friends I usually only see online or social media. A long time friend Marisa, otherwise known as Tampa Mama, was my table mate and has threatened to take another cooking class with me… look out Marisa I am going to hold you to it!
Before we were allowed to touch our own Wustof Knives or John Boos Cutting Boards we needed to learn some serious knife skills on the safest technique for cutting potatoes. Top tips :: proper ways to hold a knife, use a rocking motion and protect your fingers.
The resulting dish was a creamy dreamy Potato Gratin. Heaven in a bowl. Visit the Idaho Potato website for their collection of gratin recipes here.
After potato knife skills we moved onto onion and shallot knife skills which had everyone in the room tearing up. Luckily we were able to recover in time to taste the Potato Thyme Risotto. Perfection!
Of course a few teary eyes couldn’t stop myself or my fellow blogger friends from snapping a few Instagram images and videos – see all the fun following the hashtag #IdahoPotatoCutsClass on instagram.
After an AMAZING lunch in the Elevage restaurant of Hassleback Potatoes topped with blue cheese and hot sauce and an Homage to Berns Steak Sandwich we were back in the kitchen for a quick fire cooking challenge with our team mates.
Of course the star of the recipe was Idaho Potatoes and we had to create a potato salad putting our new knife skills to work.
Although our team was not the big winner… I had a blast spending time with them in the kitchen. Fingers crossed we can do it again soon {hint, hint Sunday Supper Movement..} Be sure to visit their blogs and say hi! {Left to right Marisa Langford ~ Adventures of Tampa Mama, Me!, Tracy Shaw ~ Having Fun Saving, Melissa ~ Melissa Creates, Sandra McKenna ~ MidLife Road Trip }
Such a great recap! I’m so glad you could make it!