John Seal & Kip Kirby

Magi Williams, Kara Luckett & Willa Licata

Rachel Johnson & Chrissy Cook

O

n the evening of Friday, September 7, guests and food 
lovers gathered to enjoy a night of extreme importance, 
and delicious meals. As guests arrived, they sampled 
specially created hors’ d’oeuvres created by fi ve Pensacola 

Beach restaurants, including Crabs We Got ‘Em, H2O, Flounder’s 
Chowder House, Hemingway’s Island Grill, and Peg Leg Pete’s.  

Flounder’s Sushi Chef Shin Kawachi held an on-stage demonstration 

while preparing a California Roll, and a Hiro San’s Tuna Avocado 
Roll. Both rolls were served at the hors d’oeuvres station. After the 
sushi demonstration, the formal dinner cooking demonstration was 
presented, which included two courses, both paired with a wine tasting.

The fi rst course was presented by Chef John Smith from 

Hemingway’s Island Grill and featured Ahi Tuna Tartare served on 
roasted pepper tortillas with a wasabi aioli. The salad was presented 

by Chef Jeffrey Newbill at Peg Leg Pete’s, named the Shrimp Key 
West Salad, which featured a crisp Iceberg Romaine blend topped with 
roasted pecans, raisins, marinated grilled shrimp, sliced egg, cheese, 
cucumber, cherry tomatoes and green onion, and was served with a 
tangy Dijon vinaigrette. The fi rst entrée presentation was by Chef Jere 
Doyle at Crabs We Got ‘Em, and showcased their specialty Maryland 
Style Crab Cakes with arugula, charred sweet corn and bacon puree, 
lemon beurre blanc and black pepper gastrique. The second entrée 
presentation was by Chef Brad Davis at H20, a fabulous Surf & Turf 
with fresh local prawns in Sapporo tempura and Seared Filet of Beef, 
served with zucchini and squash noodles and sweet Sriracha chili sauce. 
Dessert was presented by Chef Dennis Moore of Flounder’s Chowder 
House, and ended the evening with a scrumptious Bananas Foster.

photos & story by

 

Kristina Wright 

Wes Schwerdtfeger & Zoe Brunner   

   VIP Pensacola at Hilton Pensacola Beach 

Liz & Harry Hewson, Terri Preston

Taste of the Beach

VIP Dinner

November 2018   |   51 

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10/29/18   1:10 PM