Food Raconteur

Food Raconteur Food, Fusion, Tales. Fusion cuisine, Private dining, Private chef. Cooking Lessons and Workshops, Me

Skip is a valued client of ours, and we have had the pleasure of organizing events for him in the past. He wanted to sur...
06/11/2025

Skip is a valued client of ours, and we have had the pleasure of organizing events for him in the past. He wanted to surprise his amazing sister, Cynthia, with a special experience. After facing flooding at her home, her dear friends, Jen and Chris, graciously offered to host the event at their enchanting house in Chesterfield.

With a lovely, well-organized kitchen, it has been one of the best venues we've used for dinners.

Cynthia and Deeps share a long history, having collaborated together before, making for a wonderful audience that was both traveled and knowledgeable.

We decided on an elegant French dinner which turned out to be a delightful experience, and both our guests and we were equally thrilled to host this wonderful group of people.

Each course was a masterpiece, expertly crafted to highlight the rich flavors and traditions of French cuisine.

Our menu was made up of;
* Lobster Bisque
* French Country Salad With Lemon Dijon Vinaigrette
* Seared Jumbo Shrimps With Crème D'échalote
* Beef Filet Mignon, Potato Mousseline, , Bordelaise Sauce
* Decadent Chocolate Dessert

To our delight every dish was met with appreciative murmurs and delighted smiles.

The wine flowed freely, each glass complementing the intricate flavors of the food and bringing a toast to friendship and shared experiences.

Emilee did a fabulous job in assisting me and that day will be remembered as one of the few remarkable interactive events we experienced.

A special thanks to Jen and Chris for their gracious hosting, to Skip for the generous gift, and to Cynthia for coordinating everything.

It was indeed a night to remember, an enchanting celebration of good food, great company, and the art of dining à la française🥂🥂🥂

Thank you so much for the lovely tête-à-tête !I was an absolute pleasure having an earnest yet delightful conversation ...
06/09/2025

Thank you so much for the lovely tête-à-tête !

I was an absolute pleasure having an earnest yet delightful conversation with you!

Onwards and upwards!🥂

If you would like to read the whole conversation, you can find it at:
https://voyagestl.com/interview/meet-ashok-of-food-raconteur

Stegt Flæsk med Persillesovs:Stegt flæsk is the crown jewel of Danish cuisine, proudly reigning as the national dish sin...
06/08/2025

Stegt Flæsk med Persillesovs:
Stegt flæsk is the crown jewel of Danish cuisine, proudly reigning as the national dish since 2014.

This crispy delight features fried pork belly slices that are golden on the outside and melt-in-your-mouth tender inside, served with a beautiful parsley sauce and boiled potatoes.

The "persillesovs" is a creamy white sauce mixed with fresh parsley, making it the perfect sidekick to the rich pork.

For a sweet twist, throw in some apple compote!

Fun tidbit: It’s a staple of election nights, thanks to "valgflæsk"—a cheeky nod to politicians' big promises.

Hari Srinivasan is not only a dear friend but also a passionate supporter. His latest endeavor, iCover, is an innovative...
06/06/2025

Hari Srinivasan is not only a dear friend but also a passionate supporter. His latest endeavor, iCover, is an innovative reinsurance firm located in St. Louis. Hari was preparing to host an anniversary dinner with partners, investors, and select clients, and we were the natural choice to help celebrate.

Our aim was to make this occasion truly special for Hari and his dynamic team and moreover to rightly celebrate a venture such as iCover.

We had the perfect plan.

*Venue: Our commissary kitchen.

*Setup and Decor: Managed by the talented Jill, who seamlessly worked her magic.

*Menu Concept: We decided to craft an innovative menu that symbolizes iCover by bringing to life dishes representing each alphabet of their company name😎

iCover 6th Anniversary Menu:

I
* Indian-Spiced Mango Chutney & Paneer Tikka
C
* Charred Cauliflower with Tahini
O
* Omani Lentil Soup
* Oceanic Lobster Bisque
V
* Venezuelan Arepas with Grilled Chicken
* Veggie Tempura
E
* English Roasted Vegetable Wellington
* Ethiopian Doro Wat
R
Rum Baba (France)

With perfectly paired wines, the event was truly remarkable. Nicole, the co-founder, along with our investors and clients, were delighted, and we enjoyed some fantastic conversations. Rana Jchraj, the vibrant butterfly representing iCover, was also present, adding a splash of color to the occasion.

Our amazing team, including Edina and Bree, put in tremendous effort, and we welcomed a new member from LCB Brazil, Lucienne, who performed exceptionally well.

We also had a stunning cheese board representing iCover, thanks to our partner, Chelsea.

Congratulations iCover…here’s to a brighter future ahead!🥂

Kofta tagine, the Moroccan superstar, is a wonderful dish that is made up of spicy meatballs swimming in a zesty tomato ...
06/04/2025

Kofta tagine, the Moroccan superstar, is a wonderful dish that is made up of spicy meatballs swimming in a zesty tomato bath, all cooked in the iconic tagine pot.

"Kefta" is the fancy name for the spiced-up ground meat, usually beef, lamb, or a meaty medley. The tagine pot—a magical cone-lidded wonder—cooks everything slow and steady, like a culinary spa treatment. As steam rises and trickles back down, the feast becomes extra juicy and tender, making those meatballs and sauce sing with SO MUCH flavor.

Pro tip:
You'll want to grab some bread to mop up every last drop of that scrumptious sauce!

Fun tidbit:
"Kofta" traces back to the Persian word “kufteh,” meaning “to grind” or “to pound,” hinting at the delightful meat-prepping process!

Happy Birthday, Ilayaraja Sir! Your music has been my longest companion, weaving emotions into every note, shaping my li...
06/02/2025

Happy Birthday, Ilayaraja Sir! Your music has been my longest companion, weaving emotions into every note, shaping my life with joy and solace. From private moments of reflection to vibrant shows, your songs have been my heartbeat, felt up close and personal. Your genius teaches me resilience, creativity, and the power of simplicity. I’m humbled by your legacy, a timeless gift to us all. Thank you, Maestro and wishing another year of peace , happiness and good health . Ilaiyaraaja

Recently I had the honor of being part of one of those magical occasions where you just have to say yes because the vib...
06/01/2025

Recently I had the honor of being part of one of those magical occasions where you just have to say yes because the vibe was pure sunshine—folks who were kind, authentic, thankful, and nature friendly!

When Bailey and her boyfriend strolled into our studio,we felt an immediate connection and we knew we had to make their big day sparkle.

The twist? A completely vegan, plant-based wedding feast with a shoestring budget, and most of the cooking happening right on site. Challenge accepted!

With our dream team in tow, we pulled it off. Juggling three events on the same day meant our logistics had to be flawless, and thanks to Luciene, our wonder girl Bree, and Maddie, everything clicked into place. ‘The Barn’ was a picture-perfect venue on a toasty day, filled with hustle and bustle. Bailey and her sister-in-law, Becca, had cast a fairytale spell over the place.

The ceremony was magical, the couple was adorable, and our vegan creations were a hit—even among those trying plant-based bites for the first time!

The Menu;

Mini Bruschetta Bar:

* Tomato + Basil + Balsamic,

* Roasted Red Pepper + Cashew Cheese,

* Olive Tapenade + Herbed White Bean Spread

* Lemon-Thyme Olives & Crudité With Romesco Dip

Salad:

* Arugula, Peach, Snap Peas, Mint, Almonds, White Balsamic Vinaigrette

Mains:

* Vegan Pastitsio (Lentil Ragu, Béchamel, Cinnamon Tomato Sauce)

* Mushroom Stroganoff (Cashew Cream, Truffle Oil, Handmade Pappardelle)

Sides:

* Roasted Early Summer Vegetables With Gremolata

Bread:

* Herbed Focaccia (Rosemary, Sea Salt, Olive Oil)

A big shoutout to our fantastic team and a special high-five to Bailey, not only for letting us be a part of your wonderful day but also for the lovely review you gave us! Here's to a blissful wedded adventure for you both! 🎉🥂

It's almost the end of the month and since I had dedicated this month to answering the persistent question “ what is you...
05/30/2025

It's almost the end of the month and since I had dedicated this month to answering the persistent question “ what is your go-to once you get home after cooking us such amazing dishes?”, it seems fit that i am ending this note on one of my absolute favourites, Seafood Paella.

Seafood Paella:
What’s not to love about a dish that is easy to whip up, absolutely covered in mouthwatering flavours and allows soooooo much room for experimenting!

Though originally a lunch dish in Spain, this dish is absolutely wonderful as a quick dinner ‘one pot go-to’. Made with saffron, rice, sofrito (a blend of onions, garlic, tomatoes, and peppers), and any seafood your heart desires, it is a beautifully simple dish that warms your stomach and calms your mind at the same time.

I especially look forward to the Socarrat, which is the crispy rice layer that is formed at the bottom of my pan and is delicious. Though to make sure you get to the Socarrat, be careful not to stir the rice once you take it off the stove!

And there you have it, a month of lil tidbits about my favorite dishes to come back home to!🏡
I do hope you guys enjoyed it and perhaps even tried it at home♥️ do let me know if you would like to hear about more of these👍🏼

When it’s meant to be it guess it is meant to be! Gotta love it when the universe comes together to make sure good peopl...
05/28/2025

When it’s meant to be it guess it is meant to be! Gotta love it when the universe comes together to make sure good people cross your path!That's how we got to meet Bryce Bow.

Bryce contacted us from Edwardsville after the chef they had initially chosen canceled at the last minute.

This wonderful group of friends share a passion for food, wine, and engaging conversations, which was clear from the atmosphere, flavors, and quality of their discussions😎They had an absolute vibe!

We crafted a straightforward yet timeless menu for this fantastic gathering which was made up of;
* Soupe A L' Oignon Gratinee
( French Onion Soup)
* Salade De Chèvre Chaud
( A Warm Good Cheese Salad With Walnut And Champagne)
* Escalopes De Poulet A La Normande
(Thin Slices Of Chicken Breast Pan Fried Served With A Rich Creamy With Apples Calvados And A Touch Of Cream)
* Filet Mignon With Bordelaise Sauce With Roasted Potatoes
* Chocolate Tart With Berries And Raspberry Coulis

It was delightful to witness the empty plates and the heartfelt gestures from all the guests who cheered and applauded for us. Much love to everyone!
And as always, the mother-daughter duo truly shined. Thank you, Emilee and Brea!

If you’ve been keeping up with my posts this month, you’re aware that I’ve chosen to share my favorite home-cooked dishe...
05/26/2025

If you’ve been keeping up with my posts this month, you’re aware that I’ve chosen to share my favorite home-cooked dishes. I'm finally addressing the common question I receive from clients: “After creating all those culinary masterpieces for us, what’s your go-to meal when you relax at home?”

Experimenting with different flavours and ingredients is one of my most favourite things to do! And that attitude towards cooking follows me back home even after a hard day's work😄Which is what this next dish is about.

Podi Avocado Sourdough Toast:
Not that Avocado Toast needs any introduction. This dish by itself is a nutritional powerhouse! Its creamy texture that is packed with healthy fats, fiber, and various vitamins and minerals is perfect after a long day.

But I love taking it up a notch by adding some lovely cherry tomatoes and different peppers. Making a wholesome meal at the end of the day.

BUT WAIT! This meal isn’t ever complete for me without my own personal hero ingredient, PODI!

What’s Podi, you ask?
Podi aka Gunpowder Seasoning is a versatile spice mix deeply embedded in South Indian cuisine, often referred to as Milagai Podi or Paruppu Podi. This fiery combination of roasted lentils, chilies, and various spices is designed to elevate the flavors of numerous dishes.

The term "gunpowder" is due to the bold and potentially intense heat it imparts. A lil sprinkle of this bad boy on your Avocado Toast goes a long way when it comes to flavour.
Try it if you don't believe me…you’ll see what I mean!😎

Rfissa is a classic Moroccan dish, resembling a type of chicken tagine, typically served with thin, pan-fried bread know...
05/24/2025

Rfissa is a classic Moroccan dish, resembling a type of chicken tagine, typically served with thin, pan-fried bread known as Trid (or Msemmen) and garnished with lentils. This dish is often enjoyed during festive occasions and is especially recognized for being presented to women after childbirth, thanks to the beneficial properties of fenugreek, a key ingredient. Its roots are deeply embedded in rural Moroccan traditions, possibly tracing back to the Berber tribes or the Middle East.

The essential ingredients of Rfissa include:
- Chicken
- Lentils
- Fenugreek seeds
- Msemmen (or Trid)
- Ras el-hanout (a unique blend of spices)

The preparation of Rfissa may vary slightly across different regions of Morocco, with some areas opting for distinct types of bread or spice combinations.

What makes it all the more special is that Rfissa isn’t just food—it’s an emblem of sharing, generosity, and hospitality, making its grand entrance at weddings, births, and festivals. It’s a cherished piece of Moroccan culture, handed down like a treasured heirloom, flaunting the country’s culinary prowess.

Fun fact: Rfissa is thought to have originated from tharid, a traditional Arab dish considered to be the favorite of the Prophet Muhammad.

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