Reeling in Fish Tips, Tricks and Techniques

January 29, 2009 7:18 am

Reeling in Fish Tips, Tricks and Techniques

The only thing more exciting than tasting food from an acclaimed chef is watching him teach you how to cook it. I reveled in the opportunity to a take a class at South Gate Restaurant led by executive chef and avid fisherman, Kerry Heffernan. After seeing Kerry's skill and precision while filming a porcelet segment with him for Behind the Burner last September, the thought of being instructed by him was exhilarating. Always the teacher's pet, I told him ahead of time I would be seated front and center. He warned me he would be calling on me during class. Hence, I made sure to sit safely in the last row to avoid any public humiliation in case my knowledge of selecting, storing and preparing fresh fish wasn't up to par.

Chef Heffernan's class was orchestrated superbly in its special location--South Gate Restaurant, which features a fresh, sleek, spacious interior complete with a fire place, open central bar area and grand views of Central Park. There were five long tables with every seat occupied by the 40 students in the class. The visuals were displayed in an orderly fashion with two large t.v. monitors providing close-ups of Kerry cutting, scaling and sautéing. We all tasted the beautiful recipes he prepared—Tuna Cru, Flash-Seared Squid with Cauliflower Custard and Lobster Sauce, and Sauteed Black Sea Bass with Green Celery Fondue and White Anchovies.

While enjoying every morsel of his delicately prepared dishes, we learned to "Reel in the Benefits: Prep and Store Fish the Proper Way."

When the two hour class ended, I tucked away my fresh pastry gift compliments of South Gate and placed business cards from my new friends in my wallet before practically skipping out of the restaurant with a huge grin on my face and the taste of Chef Kerry's creations still on my palate. Now that I know everything about selecting, storing and preparing fresh fish, I'm ready to make a seafood feast that would make Chef Heffernan proud, enabling me to maintain my coveted status as teacher's pet!

South Gate restaurant is located on 154 Central Park South
New York, NY 10019 between 6th and 7th Avenues. For reservations, call (212) 484-5120.

Caroline Alexa McBride