Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Recipe of the Week (31)

Mixed Tomato Salad with
Red Wine Vinaigrette


2 tablespoons red-wine vinegar
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 large red tomatoes, sliced
2 large green tomatoes, sliced
2 large yellow tomatoes, sliced
1 lb lightly salted mozzarella, cut into 1/4-inch pieces
1 1/2 cups loosely packed small basil leaves or torn large leaves

Whisk together vinegar, mustard, salt, sugar, and pepper in a large bowl. Add oil in a slow stream, whisking constantly until dressing is emulsified. Set aside. Meanwhile, place the tomatoes in an alternating pattern on a large platter. Top the tomatoes with the mozzarella and basil. Pour the vinaigrette over the tomatoes and season with salt and pepper.

Yield 6 servings.

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Recipe of the Week (30)


Classic Caesar Salad with Croutons


For croutons
3 cups 1/2-inch cubes of fresh French or Italian bread
2 tablespoons olive oil

For dressing
2 small garlic cloves, minced and mashed to a paste with 1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon anchovy paste
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon Dijon-style mustard
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 cup bottled mayonnaise
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan

1 head romaine lettuce, trimmed and torn into bite-size pieces
1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Make croutons:
Preheat oven to 350°F. In a bowl toss bread cubes with oil. Spread cubes on a sheet pan. Bake croutons in middle of oven until golden, 10 to 15 minutes.
Make dressing:
In a blender blend together at high speed garlic, anchovy paste, lemon juice, mustard , Worcestershire sauce and mayonnaise until smooth. Pour dressing into bowl and stir in the Parmesan cheese.
In a large bowl toss romaine with dressing, Parmesan, croutons, and pepper to taste.

Yield 6 servings.

Monday, April 6, 2009

Winner, winner!!!


On April 2nd, I participated in the 4th annual Autism Society of Greater Cleveland Chili Cookoff. After finishing second in 2006 and winning the coveted People's Choice award last year, I won first place in the Professional division this year!

This year's event, which was held in the Terrace Club at Progressive Field, featured over 20 professional and amateur chefs. It was an honor to win the top prize. But it was more of an honor to help raise money for such a wonderful cause. For more information on the Autism Society of Greater Cleveland, please visit http://asgc.org/.

Here is a picture of my wife and I at the event.

What did they say?????

Testimonials and recommendations from "clients" and friends:


Chef Wells’ food is exquisite, scrumptious, superb, and fulfilling. OMG-tender, juice, nicely seasoned steak, shrimp so divine I enjoyed every bite, tasty broccoli and fluffy garlic mash potatoes. Everything served was absolutely fantastic.

If you want to eat a five or six course meal in your home without lifting a finger Call Chef Wells or visit his website to set-up arrangements for him to come and cook for two or for a party of four. If you wish to have a cooking party, he can even accommodate you and a group of friends.

Thanks to the teen ministry my hubby and I were able to enjoy an intimate dinner for two in the comfort of our own home. Chef Wells served us and it was so awesome.


Falanda and Rodney Collins



Chef Wells, What a exquisite FINE DINING experience we had for our 41st anniversary dinner. You did a splendid job in preparing our meal. Your conscientious and professional demeanor was greatly appreciated. It was the BEST Dining Out, I mean DINING IN moment in our our 41 years of marriage. You made us very relaxed and comfortable. Please use our names as references for any future customers.



WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND CHEF ERIC WELLS. Chef Wells will tantalize your tastebuds and make you feel your are eating at a 5 Star restaurant in your own home.



Vance and Gayle Linamen







I just want to take a moment to give a major shout-out to Eric Wells, one of Cleveland's finest up-and-coming chefs. I first saw Chef Wells on Fox 8 news in the morning and he was talking about a service he provided where he would come to your home and prepare a intimate dinner for you and your special someone. Since this was about a month away from my 10 wedding anniversary and I was fresh out of ideas, I thought I would give him a call. We set up a meeting at a local coffee house where he showed me his credentials, menus, photos and prices. He was very articulate, professional and organized which made me very comfortable trusting him and the service he provides.



On the day of my anniversary Chef Wells showed up at my house precisely at the scheduled time. I showed him around the kitchen, where we were being served and he went to work, fitting our dining room table with a white linen table cloth, flowers, candles, silverware, china, and custom made Happy Anniversary menus with our names and the date. We even had a chilled bottle of vino! Every thing was perfect and the only thing he needed from me was the oven and the sink!



When my wife got home Chef Wells formally introduced himself and the reason he was there. He showed her to her seat, explained the menu and immediately started serving our four course meal that consisted of an appetizer, salad, the main course and desert. Everything was spectacular, the food, the atmosphere, the conversation, everything! And the best part about it... we didn't need to drive home or clean up!! Chef Wells cleaned up, packed up and left my kitchen exactly the way he found it. It was like he was never there. We were free to kick back, relax and do what grown folks do...lol.



Thanks Chef Wells for an unforgettable evening.



Jamal Morris







Chef Eric,

I just had to drop you an email tonight and tell you how wonderful the evening was! THANK YOU! I asked Mark after you left how he rated it between 1-10 and he said it was an easy 20!!! THANK YOU! We have both enjoyed surprising one another over the years in different ways! THIS surprise ranks high on the list! THANK YOU!



It was a memorable special evening and it ended not only with left overs (yum yum) but also making a new friend!



Once again~ ~ THANK YOU for preparing a wonderful meal and for the enjoyable conversation as well!



Mark and Lois Callahan







Thank you so much for making my friend’s first baby shower a success!!! You really came through for us in a very short period of time (5 days)!!! The menu that you created was just what we were looking for in a “brunch baby shower.” The frittatas were the biggest hit! No one even knew what frittatas were and had nothing but wonderful things to say!!! You made sure that things flowed smoothly and we all think that you went above and beyond by making sure no one had to clean up their own dishes and utensils!!! You were more than a chef to us that day…you were the epitome of chivalry!!! Thanks again for all that you did and I will be sure to recommend you to all that I know!!!



Tyra N Henderson







Dear Chef Wells,

I’d like to take this opportunity to let you know how much I appreciate your services for my husband’s birthday party. I was very impressed with your professionalism, organizational skills, reasonable prices and the food, which was simply delicious! Not only did you do an outstanding job with your food preparation and service, but you went above and beyond by helping me with the decorations and set up. As a matter of fact, you made a very stressful event stress free. It was a pleasure working with you! Thanks so much!



Stacy Pinkney-Peterson







In December of 2004, The Land Family sponsored their very first family reunion dinner in Cleveland, Ohio. After much consideration, we decided to have Chef Eric Wells from Skye LaRae’s Culinary Services perform an informal presentation of an array of meal possibilities for the officers of the planning committee. Chef Wells was prompt and fully prepared for the presentation. Chef Wells prepared several sample meals that were not only wonderful to look at but exquisite to our pallets. We were all so impressed that we hired Chef Wells to cater our very first dinner. He was prompt, professional and willing to go the extra mile to make our event a success. We cannot say enough positive things about Chef Wells. We would certainly use Skye LaRae’s Culinary Services to cater any event, whether it is formal or casual. Thank you Skye LaRae’s Culinary Services for a job well done!



Linda Land-Taylor

Family Ties







Chef Eric

I just wanted to tell you what a great time we had on Saturday Night. It was a birthday celebration I won't forget. The food was wonderful, especially the main course. And the service was excellent. It is so nice to have a relaxed dinner prepared in your home and not have to clean up afterwards. I am sure we will employ your services again, hopefully soon, and we will certainly recommend you to our friends



Thanks again, Patti Cummins







Eric, I "TOTALLY ENJOYED" both dinners and evenings with you! Thank You soooo much for making them both out to be a success. Feed the tummies with yummy food and drink and be merry is my motto! I really can't decide which meal I enjoyed most. They were BOTH soooooo good. You are such a sweetie. Take care and please keep in touch! And remember to always..........LIVE, LOVE & LAUGH !!!!!!!!!!!!



Kim Lindhart







Eric,

Thanks so much for the great evening! We had a really wonderful time and enjoyed not only the food but your dynamic personality. I bet you were glad to get home safely on such a wintery night. We will absolutely pass along your business cards etc....Do keep us posted on your restaurant and of course we have added you to our Favorites on the internet.



Kate Hilliard







I spent most of my morning here at work raving about our dinner yesterday!!! I have made copies of your business card and passed to about 10 people. You did a great job with our dinner we truly thoroughly enjoyed everything. I am already looking at my calendar to see when I schedule something again with you. God bless and you keep up the good work. You will be hearing from the Robert's family again very soon!!!



Shana V. Roberts
















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