Sorry had to throw this in just so I didn't have to pull up the site and see me on top~ This is my new all time Favorite shot of Neka,

Can you tell how happy they are or what~ Team Coach and great guy Micheal. (he even Ironed some pants for them!)

Silver place Entree~ With Matt in the back

Schmoozing, Can you guess what he is about to say?

"Smile and Wave boys, Just Smile and Wave"

I think he was a little teary in this one and the guy is wipeing his tears. Just kidden

Dessert~ or as they said. Finish; Warm Brown Bread Pudding with Grutz and a Coconut Wafer followed with a Caramel Macchiato (hand pressed) and finisheed by a cinnamon citrus Tuile (far right) craddled in a Frozen Vanilla Custard Crowned with Praline and Blood Orange Essence.~ (much yummier in person)

Quail Starter again, dressing on the side

Starter~ Marinated Grilled Quail with variety of Heirloom Tomatoes, Micro baby Greens Dressed with a Jerez vinaigrette, Dried Shitake Chips, Spiced Pecan, Preserved Lemon, Roasted Shallot Cream Dressing and accompanied by a cheese flaovered Potato Crisp.

Real discription~( sorry ignore one below from memory, (hey at least I took a good picture) Entree; Tournedo of Pan Roasted Sea Bass over Yukon Gold Potato Hash with a Glazed shrimp Qunelle ( The white thing with sauce on top), Haricot verts, Baby Bok Choy, Watercress Cream and Garnished with a Mosaic of Dried Tomato and Leek

A very bad description I'm sure but I'll try~ Bacon wrapped Sea Bass over Bok Choy(in a rice vinegar), also sitting on top of a potato hash (which you can't see from this angel~ and was incredible) a Water cress sauce (the green) and a Tomato powder~ which you wouldn't add much but were REALLY good. then the garnish is a dried out leak with dried Tomato impressions ~ think stain glass window, but yummy. Sorry I forget what the white is (he'll have to come back and redo this)

A different view of Eriks dish~ he'll have to come back and to edit and give details.

More Judging, and a little praying

Judging with 2 Master Chefs

The reception

Board over each station

Entree again~

App~

Entree~

Hot National Culinary Winner

Great News!

We're Pregnant~............Just Kidding!
Erik placed Silver in the National competition this weekend in Chicago! I am extremely proud of him. It really is a pretty big deal. The whole thing was very intense, and if you could of only seen the competition he was up against it was quite impressive. Everyone I talked to was commenting on how talented Erik is and this should be a great jump to his career. (so like can I quit now ;) j/k)
O.K enough bragging. We had an incredible weekend all together. It was so nice to know the kids were in great hands,~ Thank you so much Mom, Honey and Amy. Oh, did I mention he won a trip to ICELAND (for 2 of course)!!!! I am so hyped. Pictures are soon to come, but right now I am eating up my sorely missed kiddy cheeks. We are floating on a cloud here right now can you tell.