Gerry Goldwyre's North American Adventure

 

MasterChef winner, chef and architect, Gerry Goldwyre and his wife Susan are on a year's trip to American discovering all that's best about food and cooking along the way.

October and November: Edmonton to California

The last article ended in Edmonton in the snow. Well that snow just kept on falling. The trees were laden making the branches weep. It was a painter’s dream one I expect to fulfil when I get home, with an art exhibition at the restaurant.

We had lots of fantastic food in Edmonton including a great curry at a restaurant run by a third generation family of Indians. The combination of ground chilli and coriander mixed with fresh yoghurt, toasted cumin seeds and lime juice was superb. A perfect accompaniment to the mini naan breads and tomato and cucumber salsa.

After Edmonton we drove south to Calgary. There we caught up with friends we had met in Banff some weeks before. They took us out for dinner to the River Café in Calgary where we enjoyed a sensational meal. I was particularly impressed with the lamb tart and red onion relish.

Home from home in Calgary

Calgary was positively balmy at -8 deg C, and only 100mm of snow. I organised a dinner party here that started out at 16 invites. The expectation was that only half would accept. Wrong! All 16 accepted. The hosts had to hire crockery and cutlery and I stretched my party cooking to its limit given the size of the kitchen. All went well and I could have sold the recipe for the sweet potato soup to everyone there. They loved it.

Stunning Views in Bryce Canyon

From here we moved southwards to Montana, Wyoming and Utah. We covered the National Parks namely Yellowstone, Bryce, Zion and Snow Canyon. Our camera was used to its full capacity as the beauty of these parks took our breath away. Food was temporarily put to the side as each park compelled us to see more and more. Yellowstone was particularly stunning although at one point we thought we might have met our maker. A 2,000 lb (ish) bull bison charged straight at the car. Fortunately it side stepped - maybe the tartan put him off.

Buffalo in Yellowstone Park

Next we headed for Nevada and that miracle of the desert, Las Vegas. One visit here is the experience of a lifetime. Two visits would suggest a visit to the doctor was required. However, we experienced the best of Southwest cooking in Las Vegas, at Bobby Flay’s Mesa Grill.

Out of Vegas we crossed back to California, by passing Death Valley and onto a small place called Three Rivers at the foothills of Sequoia National Park. This is the venue for a Thanksgiving dinner that I have planned. Thanksgiving is a huge event here, imagine our Christmas times two.

The dinner that is planned is very similar to our Christmas dinner. Turkey is the main focus and I have been TOLD that everyone pigs out which is my cue to make really big portions. I have planned a few variations on the traditional pumpkin and turkey theme. This is the menu, I hope they like it.

Roast Pumpkin soup with pomegranate and toasted pecan nut relish

Roast turkey and stuffing glazed with orange, served with sweet potato cakes, cranberry and walnut relish and spicy chilli gravy

Pudding? Well the guests bring this along. I hope they bring ice cream. I’ll let you know how it goes with some photos next time.