Meet my friend, Chef Larry Monaco. That’s him behind that big beautifully seared piece of filet mignon. I have nick-named him “The King of Sear” because, as you can see, he can put a mean sear on just about anything.
Chef Monaco graduated with a Culinary Arts degree from Cordon Bleu. He spent several years in Hollywood as a sought after personal chef and caterer for companies like HBO, New Line Cinema, Lion’s Gate and the Grammy Foundation. Later he moved to New York City where he worked with famous restauranteur Danny Meyers at Tabla. His next culinary venture would lead him to work at Gramercy Tavern for two years under Chef Tom Colicchio. It was on a trip to the Pacific Northwest that Chef Monaco fell in love with Seattle and decide it was time to get back to the West Coast where Seattlites have enjoyed his gorgeous food at places like Il Bistro, BOKA and Veil. Lucky for us!
Chef Monaco is committed to using the freshest, local ingredients in the dishes he prepares, which is something I greatly respect about him. He brings out the best of the natural flavors and plates his dishes with the skill of an artist. He loves teaching people how to prepare the bounties we enjoy here in the Pacific Northwest and has been pairing up with the great folks over at DishItUp.
Dish It Up is a culinary wonderland. Pots, Pans, Kitchen Tools, Wine, Cook and Serveware and everything in between can be found there. I often go there to find props for some of my photography because they have such a great selection. They also offer Culinary Classes. I have been to several classes taught by others like Chef Robin Leventhal and Chef Lisa Nakamura. The classes are always a blast, you get to learn some new techniques and sometimes get to join in. You get to taste the food that was prepared during class as well as complimentary wine that has been perfectly paired.
GIVE AWAY DETAILS: Chef Larry Monaco, Dish It Up and NommyNom have partnered together to give one lucky reader a chance to attend Chef Larry Monaco’s Market Class presented by DishItUp in Ballard on March 27th.
Chef Larry Monaco’s Dish It Up Market Class – Enjoy a field trip with the Chef as he takes the class on a walking tour of the Farmer’s Market. Students will learn about the bounty of fresh Pacific Northwest ingredients and will help make the decision about what ingredients are purchased that day. After your Farmer’s Market field trip you will return to Dish It Up’s enormous demonstration kitchen and Chef Larry Monaco will prepare an off-the-cuff meal made from the farm fresh ingredients the class helped pick out.
HOW TO ENTER: Go to the syndicated version of NommyNom and make a post telling us about your favorite Pacific Northwest ingredient.
Official Contest Site: NommyNom’s Chef Larry Monaco & Class Giveaway
WHEN IS THE CONTEST: Entries will be taken February 15, 2011 until Midnight PST on March 4, 2011. Winner will be drawn at random and announced at 9:00am March 5, 2011.
WHO WILL WIN: The winner will be chosen by random drawing on March 5th and announced at 9:00am PST on March 5th, 2011. You must provide a valid name and email address with your entry. Winners will have 24 hours to claim their prize, if left unclaimed the prize will go to a runner-up determined by random drawing.
Dish It Up will be featuring Chef Larry Monaco in several classes in March. Here’s the schedule of his upcoming appearances, please contact DishItUp to book your class:
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Farmer’s Market Class
Chef Larry Monaco
Demo/Hands-On in Ballard
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Searing & Sauteing: Steak, Chicken & Fish
Chef Larry Monaco
Demo/Hands-On in Ballard
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Farmer’s Market Class
Chef Larry Monaco
Demo/Hands-On in Ballard
Here is a list of more classes being offered up by more of our talented and amazing local Chefs:
March 1 – Northwest St Patrick’s day Feast with John Nesby of MorMor Bistro
March 3 – Essential bread Baking with George dePasquale of Essential Baking Company
March 7 – Couples Cooking Together with Sam Crannell and Tracy Stoner-Crannell
March 9 – Northwest Essentials: Cassoulet with Greg Atkinson of West Coast Cooking
March 10 – Tamales & Salsas with Devra Gartenstein of Patty Pan Grill
March 16 – Five Ingredient Thai Cooking with Pranee Halvorsen
March 21 – Art of the Pie with Pie Goddess Kate McDermott
March 22 – Spring Rabbit with Becky Selengut author of Good Fish
March 23 – Latin Flavors with Matt Jones
March 24 – Couples Aphrodisiacs with Karen Binkhorst
March 28 – Chinese Takeout Favorites with Hsiao-Ching Chou
March 30 – Pastry Chef Desserts with Matt Jones
March 31 – Sustainable Sushi with Hajime Sato
Please be sure to visit Dish It Up’s website for more details about class schedules and information.
PLEASE NOTE: Comments are disabled for this post, to enter please visit the official contest entry site and make your comment there:
Official Contest Site: NommyNom’s Chef Larry Monaco & Class Giveaway
One entry per person, duplicate entries will be deleted.
Full Disclosure: This giveaway is made possible by the generosity of DishItUp and Chef Larry Monaco.
RESTRICTIONS: Contest is open only to residents of the Seattle area and Pacific Northwest. Contest winner is responsible for their own travel to and from the event, and any related expenses. Chef Larry Monaco, DishItUp and NommyNom are not responsible for any expenses outside of the cost of tuition and food for the event. Prize is non-transferrable, non-fundable and may not be exchanged for cash.
