Welcome to another episode of The Santa Barbara Chef. I am Chef Michael Hutchings, the chef/host. Join me for some delicious cooking on the American Riviera. Set against the backdrop of Santa Barbara, we showcase the jewels of my culinary repertoire from some forty-five years at the stove. Look for the finest local ingredients, classic food styles and bushels of tips to prepare elegant, tasty meals.
The eclectic menu begins with an exotic mussel dish the originated at St. James in the Vineyard restaurant, Palm Springs. I was the chef de cuisine there in 1999-2000. James Offord was the chef/proprietor of this world cuisine restaurant. The menu reflected St. James' world travels especially to India and Asia.
Here is a short bio from his obituary:
"James A. Offord, known to all as St. James, or just Jimmy, passed away peacefully on March 3, 2014, at home with his life companion, Judith Chapman, at his side. He was a genial host, artist, chef, and restaurateur whose first eatery, Cafe St. James, successfully opened in 1984. This was followed by St. James at the Vineyard and The Vineyard Tuscan Grill. When asked if he would be opening a place "Down Valley" he would politely grin and say "No." When not holding court behind the bar at one of his restaurants, the adventurous St. James loved traveling the world, bringing exotic artifacts and new taste sensations home to Palm Springs. Friends of the restaurant were charmed by his tales of trekking the Himalayas and the outrageous costumes he grandly wore."
The main dish is an upscale breast of chicken sauced with a green peppercorn jus. In past decades it would be called the "Madagascar" style due to the sourcing of peppercorns from that island. The sauce is finished with a compound butter much like an escargot butter.
Dessert is a rich chocolate velvet cake (my pastry chef wife's recipe) sauced with fresh poached cherries. Port wine also comes in to play.
Join us watching the show on COX cable television, channel 4 at 11:00 Friday mornings (Areas Santa Barbara, Long Beach Orange County, San Diego, and Palm Springs). Check your local listing as well. We will be airing on Amazon Prime starting in January 2020.
Tastefully,
The light and sound masters of Hellcat Productions, bring the magic to you. Will Conlin, Harlene Conlin, and Gary Conlin form the triumvirate that produces, directs, and edits The Santa Barbara Chef.
