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Local Gourmet
More than chocolate at Chocolates Galore: Pan-seared scallops with a glaze of spring watermelon and Seville orange gastrique (a vinegar-based sauce reduction) can be just as delectable as a raspberry dark chocolate truffle with Grand Marnier -- who knew?
The desserts may be chocolate, but the Chocolates Galore is certainly not just a chocolate gala. Along with these decadent chocolate truffles by award-winning pastry chef John Feist, this year's 20th Annual Chocolates Galore and More YMCA fundraiser featured some of the most tasteful hors d'oeuvre samplings in Loudoun County.
More than 18 local bakeries, caterers, restaurants and other businesses gathered inside the Lansdowne Resort's elegant ballroom Feb. 22. The atmosphere was enthusiastic: Guests were able to indulge in some enticing food and equally enticing auctions and raffles -- and also what seemed like an endless supply of champagne.
The Holiday Inn's Mansion House Restaurant brought its spring and winter scallop selections by executive chef Erik Foxx-Nettnin. Besides the mouthwatering watermelon-glazed scallops, Foxx-Nettnin made sweet potato-marinated scallops seared in clarified butter atop a mushroom crostini, finished with a truffle, bourbon and maple syrup glaze. And that's just the beginning.
Magnolia's at the Mill had a butterscotch toffee mousse tart.
J.P.'s Festival Lakes Catering put together a colorful table -- DDE_LINK2cookies made to look like mini hamburgers with sesame seed-topped vanilla wafer "buns" to accompany real mini hamburgers with all of the trimmings DDE_LINK2.
The always-fine handiwork of chefs from DDE_LINK3Lansdowne Resort's restaurant, On the Potomac, DDE_LINK3 featured some healthful Asian pork lettuce wraps with pickled vegetables.
Tuscarora Mill served up stir-fried savory ricotta gnocchi served with sauteed mushrooms.
Vaishali Chitnis from Stratford University Chef's Table showed off a few chocolate continents: dark chocolate for the ocean and white chocolate for the intricately cut continents, each with its own culture-inspired hors d'oeuvre.
This sampling of some of the delectable cuisine is only half of the evening at each year's Chocolates Galore. The event's funds go to the YMCA Loudoun County's Building Bridges campaign, a scholarship fund for area families to be able to participate in YMCA's youth development programs.
Also on the menu for the evening, Tarara Winery donated tickets to its summer concert series, guests were able to participate in silent and live auctions and raffle prizes, and enjoy a little dancing with music by the Northern Virginia five-man band Nightmusic.
Rebekah Pizana is a senior journalism major at Patrick Henry College. She can be reached at gourmetwriter@gmail.com.
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