If Michael Coon’s
looks like he is serious about food, he is. He wants to make sure that
everything that comes from his kitchen is perfect.
Michael is a world renowned food and travel expert as the former Travel
Director and Co Creator of the CIA’s World's of Flavor tours.
He has also worked as a consultant to my favorite store -
Williams-Sonoma – and counts Robert Mondavi Winery, General Mills and the
Fairmont Hotel among his clients.
He and his wife Valerie own and operate The Inside Route Tour Company,
based in San Miguel de Allende and lucky for me I was introduced to him this
past month by a friend. His kitchen, Casa de Cocinas, is now part of my culinary routine every
month.
My first tasting – The Best of the World Street Food – was as good as
eating the best food off any street in the world. I will go back for this one when they do it again.
What’s not to love about sitting back and letting Michael cook some of
the most interesting and delicious food for you? Bring a bottle of wine and a
few friends and you have a feast. Since I am new to town, I came single which
is OK because you’ll know everyone by the end of the night. The tastings last
two hours.
He has events – sometimes weekly when he’s in town - and changes up the
menu every time. For instance, last night his tasting was BBQ and he also has a
number of cooking classes this month including one called Ramen Rising and
another on Vietnamese Street Food Cooking.
One of the friends I sent his list to was delighted that he had so many
Asian cooking classes. Something new she said and she is a great chef in her
own right.
Michael and Valerie are also running culinary trips this fall to the Valle
de Guadalupe (Mexico's wine country), Oaxaca and Mexico City. The trips are totally focused on food.
His kitchen is
splendid but the room I loved the most was the pantry. Yes, one could live
inside this pantry it is that big and fully stocked with anything you happen to
have on your grocery list.
So here’s the menu
from Best
of the World Street Food Tasting
($300 pesos):
Spicy Ginger Pork Dumplings from China
Vietnamese Ban Mi
Sandwiches from Siagon
Tacos al Pastor
from Mexico
Herbalicious Fried
Dough from Italy
Homemade Creamy Ice
Cream.
Michael also served
his special vegetarian blend of
cauliflower, onion, potato, leek and vegetable stock, which is cooked in a
crock pot until the vegetables almost dissolve. It is then pureed and served
with a trickle of white truffle oil and bacon. That was truly an experience and
a delicacy.
He also started out his BBQ tasting with another version of his
signature dish which was just as good.
All of his food was
artistically exciting and delicious but what I loved most is that Michael
created a new take on every recipe. For instance, he served the Ban Mi on a
Mexican Bolillo instead of the traditional french baguette.
Last night, I
polished off his “South In Your Mouth” tasting… a delicious combination of
brisket, ribs, cole slaw, cornbread and shortcake. Can’t tell you how good it
was to officially have my first real BBQ of the summer.
If you want to get
on Michael’s growing email list, write him or Valerie at insideroute@aol.com.
Note: Reply early
as all of the tastings, classes and trips fill up early.
Buen
Apetito!