Cooking For Chef Ferran Adria

Last Thursday Chef Paul was honored with an invitation to cook for a reception for Catalan (that’s in Spain, yo) Chef Ferran Adria at Harvard University. Chef Adria is considered to be one of the best chefs in the world.

Here’s what Paul served:

• Glazed Quail Breast with Cranberry Agrodolce , Saffron and  Clementine Quinoa pilaf
• New England Clams with New Bedford Chourizo, West Indies Spices and Lime

Chef Paul O'Connell explains the Razor Clam preparation to Ferran Adria at Harvard last Thursday.

Paul and Chez Henri GM Beth Schunke plating the food.

Taste test!

2011 National Sandwich Day Face-Off Results

Face-Off runner-up and winner prizes (made by Heidi Kenney of MyPaperCrane.com)

WOW last night’s event with Roxy’s Grilled Cheese was awesome. A major thank you to everyone who came out and made our first ever National Sandwich Day battle such a party! Everyone walked in pumped to eat and it was fun hearing what voters thought as they dropped off their ballots. The final tally is in and we have a winner! Here’s a (kinda fuzzy) video of the awards ceremony:

Wanna see how your favorites did? Check out the results for every dish on the menu below.

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First Course

Chez’s Conch Fritters: 36

Roxy’s Fried Pickles: 34 votes

Chez’s Guava BBQ Pork Ribs: 30 votes

Roxy’s Poutine: 42 votes

66 Chez, 76 Roxy’s  – ROXY’S WINS

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Second Course

Chez’s Traditional Pork Cuban: 50 votes

Roxy’s Short Rib, Fontina and Caramelized Onion Grilled Cheese: 57 votes

Chez’s Grilled Vegetable Cuban: 10 votes

Roxy’s Mushroom Confit, Baby Swiss and Arugula Grilled Cheese: 24 votes

60 Chez, 81 Roxy’s – ROXY’S WINS

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Dessert

Roxy’s Grilled Cheese Cake: 35 votes

Chez’s Boca Negra with Spicy Peanut Brittle: 75 votes

75 Chez, 35 Roxy’s – CHEZ WINS

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How we chose a champion: Whoever won two out of the three courses took the prize. Roxy’s won the first and second courses, and Chez won dessert by a landslide. (Roxy’s ran out of dessert by the end of the night, so we stopped counting dessert votes once that happened. With only two courses left on the ballot, from then on we also only counted a vote if Chez or Roxy’s won both courses on a ballot. Just in case any of you math whiz types were counting!)

While Chez got more votes overall in the competition (201 to 192 baby!), Roxy’s took home the prize for winning more courses. We had a blast working with James and his crew, and we look forward to many years of being sandwich BFFs.

Congrats to Roxy’s Gourmet Grilled Cheese, 2011 National Sandwich Day Face-Off Champions!!!

Sarah of Chez Henri in the official #Foodfight uniform.

Chez Henri Sweet 16 Party Pics

Chez Henri head honchos: GM Beth Schunke, Bar Manager Rob Kraemer and Chef/Owner Paul O'Connell

On Sunday, October 16, Chez Henri celebrated 16 years and our new renovation with a kick-ass Sweet 16 party. So many great people showed up – from Chefs (Jasper White of Summer Shack, Rembs Layman of Tupelo and Andy Husbands of Tremont 647 to name a few!) to media (Boston Globe, Metro, WBUR, UpTake, EDGE Publications, and more!) as well as our awesome friends, family and loyal patrons. Even Chez Henri’s namesake, Henry O’Connell (Chef Paul’s son) made an appearance. Check out the photos and see if you recognize anyone!

Chez Henri Sweet 16 Photo Album on Facebook    

Sam Sweeney of Boston Metro

Chef Rembs Layman of Tupelo with wife Jen Deaderick and daughter Rosie

PHOTOS: Gabriel Rizzo of Golden Lion Photography.

Backdrop: ImageXpress  Lights: RULE Boston Camera