They're the top chefs of central Arkansas, and they feed more strangers than they do their kin, sometimes for the benefit of area nonprofits.
Their latest collective effort, The Next Course 2016, was held Nov. 3 at the Clinton Presidential Center. The fourth annual fundraiser for Youth Homes Inc. drew some 190 guests and raised nearly $48,000 for the organization, which provides compassionate emotional and behavioral care to youths and adults, enabling them to become contributing members of their communities.
Participating chefs brought their "A"-game, coming from as far as Pine Bluff to aid the cause.
"This speaks to the quality of chefs that are involved when they'll drive that far to be here," said Youth Home chief development officer Larry Betz.
Guests were treated to dishes -- and printed recipes -- from Jamie McAfee, executive chef of Pine Bluff Country Club; Kelli Marks, executive pastry chef at the Clinton Presidential Center; Jordan Williams, sous chef at the Clinton Center; Gilbert Alaquinez, the center's executive chef; and Shane Henderson, executive chef for Ben E. Keith in North Little Rock. The Next Course is said to be the brainchild of Henderson and friend and colleague Chris Haynes.
A reception preceding the big meal featured chicken-fried oysters with green apple mignonette by Henderson. Guests were then seated for additional courses that included confit quail with brie, arugula and beetberry jam by Williams; grilled marinated chicken breast by McAfee; Sunday pot roast "Southern Style" by Alaquinez; and Black Forest cake "Southern Style" by Marks.
The thirstier guests got, the more likely they were to pay top dollar for the bottles of wine auctioned off during the meal. Some of the chefs' marinades and jams were also sold in small jars at auction.
The item bringing the most cash was $3,000 worth of Karastan carpet that sold for $2,800, Betz said.
-- Story and photos by
Cyd King
High Profile on 11/13/2016