Mission Possible: Do you accept?

Tssssssssssssss!

Hear that? That’s the fuse going off on a self-destructing telegram we’ve just received. Quick! Huddle in close, gang. We’ve got a mission on our hands.

A trio of black-clad, stilettoed women leapt out of an Escalade to deliver a top-secret message this evening (OK, so it was an email zipped through cyberspace by a very un-intimidating and amiable PR man, but I found a sexy femme fatale photo, so just go with it). The mysterious ladies dropped a letter in my hand, and before I could utter a word, they were back in their vehicle with Bloomies sale-like urgency. I realized what the rush was when I ripped the envelope across the top: tssssssssss!

So we don’t have a moment to lose. Here we go:

“The challenge: The Chefs at the Grande Lakes Orlando are confident that given 60-days advance notice, they can help guests learn to cook any type of cuisine or perfect time-honored family recipes.

  The mission: You determine the choice of cuisine that you’d like to learn more about and prepare with the Chefs (the sky is the limit!!!).”

The sky’s the limit?  Oh, they’re in for it – aren’t they, gang? <wink>

First, a little background on the Grande Lakes Orlando: Picture 500 perfectly manicured acres in the middle of a nature preserve, and at the heart of it all, two hotels in the upper echelon of the Marriot family — Ritz-Carlton and JW Marriott.

With Orlando International a few miles east and Disney World a few miles west, Grande Lakes is a sanctuary of civility in the hyper-animated heart of America's capital of Family Fun. With its own Greg Norman golf course, “lazy” tubing river and Ritz Carlton spa, Grande Lakes tries hard to leave you with few reasons to ever leave the property. Oh yeah, and then there’s the ELEVEN restaurants and bars. They include an outpost of Primo, a back-to-earth mini empire begun by James Beard award-winner (and fellow Long Island native) Melissa Kelly.

Presiding over all the JW Marriott restaurants is Executive Chef Mark Beaupre (pictured), who is supposed to be super-creative, obviously super-energetic, and apparently feels he has the time to teach me how to cook whatever my fickle heart desires. Make that me and my lovely momma, who will accompany me in September to cook with the Chef and his team for the day.

We’re pioneers of sorts (OK, fine, guinea pigs) for a new offering called “Savory Saviors,” an exclusive series of a dozen experiences that will be similar to my own. Guests can book a private cooking session with the chef, which begins with a lunch introducing the flavors and ingredients that are fundamental to the cuisine they've requested to learn. Then the real fun begins — dinner preparation. Guests learn how to make a four-course meal that they will afterwards enjoy (er, hopefully) with special wine pairings.

The “best” part is that the whole experience will be videotaped. Yep. You thought Throwdown was the last of me?  Oh no, my friends!  I’m following my five minutes of fame with a reality tv show!  Well, a one-episode, reality v-log anyway.

But back to YOU!  Your mission, faithful NYGEW readers, is to choose the cuisine I will learn to cook.

I want to task the chefs with something challenging, out of the ordinary — test their mettle a bit. BUT, it can’t be totally obscure (Cantonese cuisine from the Panyu district of Guangzhou? I know, Steamy Kitchen, you’re like “Pshaw! That’s child’s play!”). Not that the chefs aren’t up for such a challenge, of course — it’s that I want to be able to do some not-too-difficult homework on the cuisine beforehand.

So leave some ideas in the comments section below. Or, if you’re comment-shy, send me an email. I've got until end of day Wednesday to take suggestions. You'll be sure to get a video shout-out if your recommendation is chosen. And I hear something about a special embroidered apron. But you didn't hear that from me.

KAAAABOOOOOM!!!

****UPDATE:  I've had some great suggestions come in (some by email), but I don't have time to post about them just yet because I'm getting on a plane to Austria in a few hours.  So I've talked to Mr. Big (aka mild-mannered PR man) and he's agreed to let me keep the "polls" open through the weekend. So keep the comments coming, guys!  xo, N

Comments

[Jaden, Steamy Kitchen]

hey!!! I've missed you! I need to come visit you more often.

And if you're gonna be in Orlando, I'm only 1.5 hours away.

I'd personally choose the flavors of Spain...mainly because I can't get good, authentic Spanish food here in Bradenton and I don't know much about cooking Spanish food. Love tapas.

[Jack]

This sounds like fun. I'd love to see you whip up traditional Irish cuisine, which sadly has been overrun and almost eliminated by more European fare.

If not that, how about English cooking?

[NICOLE COTRONEO]

Great suggestions so far!

Jaden, darling -- nice to hear from you! I'll let you know what kind of free time I'll have when I'm down in Orlando. It would be absolutely lovely to meet you in person (finally)! And Spanish food is an excellent idea -- not only do I pine for it (as you all well know), but it would be fun to challenge the chefs on a cuisine not readily accessible in the region.

And Jack: traditional Irish and English cooking — now that IS a challenge! I hardly know what that would be [insert boiled potato joke]. ;)

This is exactly what I feared, folks -- too many good ideas! Nevertheless, keep 'em coming!

[AMomTwoBoys]

I'm pretty sure I've missed the deadline, which isn't really a loss for anyone, because all that comes to mind is hot dogs or macaroni and cheese. Which is pretty pathetic and NOT EVEN a cuisine. Or food, depending on who you're talking to. :0) I like Jaden's idea of Spanish. Yummm....

And my offer to switch lives still stands. Really. Or, I propose you travel to California to do some research on Santa Maria Style BBQ and our fabulous wine region, and then we could get together!

[linda]

I think Southwest would be great. It's very popular and consists of so much more than the standard fare. I think a challenge with the Chef would be a good showcase for this type of cusine. Good Luck

[Tarie]

I can't wait till your next post! Please post soon. ;o)