And The Winner Is…
Chefs Michael Mina and Katsuya Uechi with Sophie Gayot
Even though last night’s dinner at XIV entitled “East Meets West” was not a competition between chefs Katsuya Uechi (of Katsuya fame) and Michael Mina (XIV, and many more), I donned my Hell’s Kitchen clothes (the ones I was wearing when I judged in episode 4.08) and could not stop myself from comparing the dishes that were served side by side.
The room was absolutely packed with excited diners. Both chefs had to prepare items using the same main ingredients: American caviar, Japanese Thai snapper, big eye tuna, Nantucket “Sugar Drop” bay scallops, Jidori Chicken, American Wagyu short ribs and Petits Fours. While XIV’s executive chef Steven Fretz usually works for Mina, on this night he was helping both chefs to serve the best food possible, and his efforts certainly paid off.
Who prevailed? The winner is Michael Mina. But this does not mean in any way that Katsuya Uechi’s preparations were not interesting and flavorful. In fact, I’m looking forward to a rematch.
You can click on each photo to enlarge. All photos by Sophie Gayot.-
- East Meets West at XIV restaurant
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- Chef Katsuya Uechi
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- Chef Michael Mina
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- Chef Michael Mina and Sophie Gayot
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- Nantucket “Sugar Drop” bay scallops with foie gras
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- Nantucket “Sugar Drop” bay scallops with truffles and sudachi
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- Yuzu
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- Persimmon
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- Big eye tuna with carpaccio
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- American Wagyu short rib served “niku jagu” style is a Japanese version of meat and potatoes
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- Jidori grilled chicken breast and braised leg with pear cornbread
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- American Wagyu short rib with star anise
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- Three Big eye tuna nigiri
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- Jidori chicken served robata style with negima
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- Tapioca-crusted Japanese Tai snapper with broccoli rabe and white soy vinaigrette
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- American caviar with a smoked sturgeon croquette
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- Japanese Tai snapper with usuzukuri and Fuji apple in a soy-balsamic sauce
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- American caviar with chawan mushi and matsutake ankake