James Beard Award Winning Chefs Partner To Celebrate
NORMAN'S 5th Anniversary
Sunday, August 10, 2008

Orlando, Fla. - Since it's opening 5 years ago, NORMAN'S has garnered widespread critical acclaim for its exceptional service and unique menu.

In celebration of half a decade of exceptional cuisine, the combined talents of James Beard award winning chefs Norman Van Aken and Dean Fearing have created a five course dinner reflecting their highly individualized style of cooking. Starting with a Tapas and Champagne reception at 7:00 pm, dinner will follow at 7:45 pm in NORMAN'S stunning marbled dining room.

This special evening is shaping up to be nothing less than spectacular, making it one of Orlando's finest culinary events of the year. Cost is $250 all-inclusive, and reservations can be made by calling (407) 393 4333. The Ritz-Carlton, Grande Lakes is extending a rate of $169 for NORMAN'S guests on the evening of August 10.

A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Love Your Life Foundation, a charity aiming to improve the quality of life for financially challenged individuals and families, through funding educational and therapeutic programs.

ABOUT NORMAN VAN AKEN:
Norman Van Aken is the founding father of the visionary American culinary movement known as New World Cuisine; a brilliant, healthful fusion of Latin, Caribbean, Asian, African and American flavors. Van Aken's list of distinctions and honors is lengthy. In addition to being deemed "Best Restaurant in Miami" by The New York Times and one of "America's Top Tables" by Gourmet magazine for four consecutive years, he is a recipient of the James Beard Foundation's Best Chef in the Southeast honors and is the only Floridian inducted into the prestigious "James Beard list of 'Who's Who" in the culinary. Last year, Van Aken was called, quite aptly, "the indisputable kingpin of Florida cuisine" by Ocean Drive magazine.

ABOUT DEAN FEARING:
Guest Chef Dean Fearing has long been known as the "Father of Southwestern Cuisine", and now the creator of a new generation of highly-flavorful dishes. After 20-plus years at The Mansion on Turtle Creek, he opened his own acclaimed restaurant, Fearing's in August 2007 at the new Ritz-Carlton Dallas. The exuberant, ever-friendly Dean Fearing was winner of The James Beard Foundation Restaurant Award for "Best Chef in the Southwest" and led a team winning the Mobil "Five-Star Award" from 1995 to 2001 and the AAA "Five Diamond Award" from 1990-2006. Dean Fearing has served celebrities, presidents and rock stars. He has been featured in culinary media worldwide and has cooked on every national morning television show.

NORMAN'S at the Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes, at 4012 Central Parkway, is open for dinner; Monday through Thursday, 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Friday and Saturday until 10:30 p.m. The Salon, showcasing specialty cocktails and dishes from Van Aken's repertoire, is open Sunday from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Monday through Saturday from 4:00 p.m. until closing.

 

~ MENU ~

First Course
Chilled Candy Cane, Red and Yellow Beet Salad
Apple Wasabi Sorbet ~ Paddlefish Caviar ~ Toasted Pistachios

Second Course
Dean's Barbequed Shrimp Taco
Mango-Pickled Red Onion Salad

Fish Course
Lapsang Souchong, Tea Stuffed Salmon
Lemon ~ Yukon Golds ~ Spinach ~ Pearl Onions ~ Sauce "Mer"

Main Course
Comanche Buffalo Tenderloin with Maple and Black Pepper
Jalapeño Grits ~ Butternut Squash Taquito

"S'mores"
Graham Cracker Crumble ~ Brandied "El Rey" Chocolate Ganache
Toasted Marshmallow "Fluff" ~ Burnt Honey Ice Cream