Chef’s Secret Garden. Sound intriguing? Well, it is. I recently had the opportunity to attend one of Montelucia’s Chef’s Secret Garden Dinners. The theme was Scotch in honor of National Scotch Day. The dinners are an intimate event with a small group of diners seated at a table in front of the kitchen so you have an opportunity to watch and interact with Chef Marcos Seville, Montelucia’s Executive Chef. The Whisky dinner was 4 courses (plus passed appetizers) each paired with a different Scotch Whisky with education by John Christie (@azwhiskeyguy). Amazing food, delicious Scotch and delightful company dining with other foodies.

The Scotch Whisky:

Girvan Patent Still 25 Year
Tullibardine 225 Sauternes Cask Finish
Balvenie 17 Year Doublewood
Highland Park Valkyrie
Burichladdich® Octomore 6.1

The Omni Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Montelucia in Paradise Valley is one of the most gorgeous resorts in Phoenix with its Spanish architecture and stunning views of Camelback Mountain. If you’ve never been you must go explore the grounds. Book a staycation, spa treatment or dinner at Prado. I hear they have a brand new Tapas bar too.

 

Passed Appetizers

Pairing: Girvan Patent Still 25 Year

First Course: Pear Braised Pork | Spare Rib | Pear & Roquefort Purée | Almond | Ginger Maple Reduction

Pairing: Tullibardine 225 Sauternes Cask Finish

Second Course: Lamb Shoulder | Caramelized Brussel Sprouts | Grilled Stone Fruit | Mint Gastrique

Pairing: Balvenie 17 Year Doublewood

 

Third Course: Wood-Fired Wild Boar Strip Steak | Crisp Green Apple | Orange Scented Carrot Splatter | Carrot Top Pesto

Pairing: Highland Park Valkyrie

Fourth Course: Chocolate Hazelnut Torte | Pecan Gelato with Cinnamon Ash

Pairing: Burichladdich® Octomore 6.1

All the courses were AMAZING and it was hard to pick a favorite. The Wild Boar was tops for me. For the Scotch, I preferred the first 3. Not unexpected as the Scotches got more peaty and higher alcohol content through the courses. However, I did think the final pairing was amazing even though it’s not a Scotch I would drink on its own.

Check their website for upcoming Chef’s Secret Garden Dinners

Don’t you just want to go lay in that hammock??

 

Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia
4949 E Lincoln Drive
Scotsdale, AZ 85253

 

disclosure: I was invited to attend the Montelucia’s National Scotch Dinner so that I could experience the Chef Secret Garden Series and share with my readers. All opinions are my own.