Dreaming of the Rocky Mountains
As a kid, I always dreamed of visiting the Rocky Mountains. My very first visit to the Rockies was actually when I started cooking school in Vail, Colorado. I was overwhelmed by their pristine beauty in summer and winter. And now I visit the Rockies every year, for a special holiday event called “Christmas in November” held in Jasper, Alberta, a 5 ½-hour drive from Calgary. Even though I do the drive from the plains into the mountains every year, I still gasp at every turn in the road, revealing a new grander vista, glaciers and wildlife!
When attending cooking school in Vail, the arrangement was fantastic. We would take our classes at the top of the mountains, in the ski chalets, in the summer while the facilities weren’t in use. (I would have to take a ski lift to class, in my chef’s uniform!) In the winter, when all the restaurants were at full volume, we would do our apprenticeships. I did manage to fit in a fair bit of skiing too!
In terms of recipes that remind me of the Rockies, I would have to say Elk Tenderloin with Green Peppercorn Sauce. I was in cooking school, so a good deal of my time was spent learning classic sauces like green peppercorn sauce, but I also embraced the local cusine, which in the Rockies meant wild game. I like the clean, lean taste of elk and it suits the kick of brined green peppercorns.
Is there somewhere you’d always dreamed of visiting as a child? Share with us below! Did you get to ever get to visit the place or are you cooking up an incredible dish to get there by entering our Dream Destination contest?
Anna
4 comments
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http://wp.me/pDQWN-eJ Anybody visiting the Canadian Rocky Mountains in Alberta, Canada may wish to read this blog. Thanks. May DeLory. www.twitter.com/Geotravel -
Growing up in Saskatchewan my dream destination was always to visit BC which we eventually did as a family...mountains, picking peaches, going to Vancouver Island. My grade 3 teacher even made sure we would remember our trip - I think I still have a "report" on the trip kicking around somewhere.
Now I live in the middle of the Rockies in BC and my dreams have gotten a little bigger. Living in such a young country I dream of visiting countries with loads of history, architecture, music, people and of course FOOD!
You will see my dream destinations soon...our kitchen has been BUSY... -
You should definitely enter a Las Vegas dish, Lily! Hmmm, will it be Vegas or Napa?
Since my mother majored in French at university, she brought me up with lots of French language and culture (though, regrettably, not quite fluency). I feel like for that reason (and growing up watching a lot of old VHS recordings of Leslie Caron musicals) my first dream destination was probably France. I have been there once and it was all that I had dreamt of and more -- I would love to go back! -
Hi Anna,
Green peppercorn sauce is my favorite sauce! I would love the recipe. It's so wonderful that you travelled to the Rockies. Elk tenderloin seems exotic!
I don't recall right now if I yearned to go anywhere as a child growing up because I explored the whole town of victoria on my bike, beacon hill park, clover point, Rockland and fairfield. But now, I think I would like to go to Las Vegas.
I have never been there and it would be interesting to see the shows. Maybe I could create a dish for Las Vegas?
All the best,
Lily
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