For Immediate Release August 9, 2010
Contact: Sherry Apostol
info@salondesindependents.net

“MICHELIN MASHUP: COOKING WITH FRIENDS”
Mélisse Restaurant Hosts David Kinch of Manresa on August 23

(Los Angeles) — Mélisse offers a summer guest chef series to spice things up in the kitchen and raise money for a good cause. Chef Josiah Citrin has called on several of his Michelin-starred friends to participate in creative culinary collaboration. Local Chef Ray Garcia of Fig in Santa Monica will be preparing an amuse- bouche for each of the dinners, while fellow Michelin-decorated chefs will alternate courses with host Chef Josiah Citrin on three different nights. Chef David Kinch of Manresa in Los Gatos is the invited guest chef on August 23. Each menu will be priced at $150 per person (tax and gratuity not included) and $20 from each meal will be donated to the Special Olympics.

Chef David Kinch’s pursuit of exceptional ingredients has inspired an exclusive partnership with biodynamic farm owner Cynthia Sandberg of Love Apple Farm, where all of the vegetables are grown for his critically acclaimed restaurant Manresa in Los Gatos. By producing his own fruits and vegetables, he is creating a closed loop between the garden and his highly personal haute cuisine, and setting a new benchmark for California cuisine in the 21st century. His philosophy is fostered by the terrorir or the “sense of place” of the California Coast, and the kind of ingredient-driven cooking and modern technique he studied in France, Spain, Germany, Japan, and the United States.

August 23, 2010 Menu

Amuse:
Foie Gras, Smoked Sturgeon, Australian Perigord Truffles

Second Course:
Strawberry Gazpacho
Fig Leaf Curd with Flowering Coriander

Third Course:
A Delicate Abalone Jelly
Trompette Squash, Cucumber Noodles

Fourth Course:
Garden Celtuce
Razor Clams with Italian Parsley, Sweet Onion and Marrow Tears

Fifth Course:
John Dory, Summer Truffles, Egg Yolk, Easter Egg Radish

Sixth Course:
Napa Valley Rib Eye of Lamb
Braised Shank, Aubergine, Tomato and Cumin

Dessert:
Valrhona Chocolate, MitiCrema and Figs

Chef Josiah Citrin’s honors include: Two Stars by Michelin Guide, #1 for Top Food in Los Angeles (2006, 2008, 2009) and #1 American-French Restaurant for Food in Los Angeles (2003-2010) by Zagat Guide, Four Stars by Mobile Travel Guide (2001-2009), Wine Spectator Best Award of Excellence (2001-2008), and Top 40 Restaurants by Gayot.com since 2006.

For more information about Chef Citrin or Mélisse, please call 310.395.0881 or visit the website at www.melisse.com. Mélisse is located at 1104 Wilshire Blvd. in Santa Monica, CA.