Hello grilling friends!
What a few weeks it has been indeed! From the indian summer ending to the magnificent Fall colors peaking , yours truly has been deck hopping and man handling more than a few fires and in typical "GTO" fashion, they have all been amazing gigs with great food, music and people, but one I must admit sticks out above the rest. Over the past few months I have been in conversation with a client I will call "Juan" about the "GTO" grill package he wants for his deck and at the same time Juan wanted me to throw a small but delicious deck party with a "bachelor" type theme for he and twenty or so of his good friends.
Without hesitating I said, Juan, you name the time and place and I will bring the soiree! Done deal he said and that was that and the soiree happened a few weeks back in the beautiful Gatineau Hills and what a night it was! I rolled my rig into his driveway right on time and as I approached what looked like a very retro yet modern house nestled on a beautiful wooded lot I couldn't wait to see where the deck was located.
I jumped out of the truck, inhaled some refreshing fall air and proceeded down the stairs to case the joint and see what kind of grilling area I had to work with. As I navigated a rock cut at the side of the house and then rounded the corner I knew right away that not only the grill but the space was perfect for this number of guests who would be rolling in by 7ish or so. I wasted no time and got down to setting my stage, a few chairs here, a few chairs there, the table here and finally the grill table and oven right in the corner, a perfect fit I might add. I had met Juan halfway up the road going the other way to pick up some last minute party snacks and such and as we rolled by each other he said doors unlocked, make yourself at home, I'm back in ten minutes.
Seeing that my outside arranging was done, I unloaded the rest of the truck and cooler full of the evenings eats and made my way back down and into the house. Upon entry I was instantly intrigued by the homes angles, decor and retro vibe. Unusual artifacts and intriguing artwork hung from the walls while Miles Davis played in the background. Built in the seventies by a well known local architect, Juan had decided to keep it as it was built and change very little. The kitchen, my favorite place, reminded me of the kitchen I grew up in back in the Laurentians and every view from every window was epic. When Juan got back he was kind enough to give me the quick tour and we shared a good few laughs over stories about family, life and work and then we proceeded to get down to having fun.
I whipped up and dished out the fresh appetizer's which consisted of home made tzaziki, brushetta and grilled pita chips. Juan got the bevies organized and I proceeded to hit the deck and put fire to charcoal and declare the party started! Within moments, cars started arriving and friends started congregating on the deck as if it were a staged film shoot. One by one I was introduced to Juan's guest's all curiously throwing stares at his new prized ceramic possession and my prep table full of the evenings fare. I could tell almost instantly that this crew were close and had long lasting friendships with each other.
Wine started flowing and Cohiba's were being lit and savored as the aroma's of assorted cheeses and baguette were being smoke infused and crusted up for my guests. One by one I had the pleasure of engaging in conversation as I normally do at these events with some of the guests who's curiosity about the oven was getting the better of them. I am fortunate to be able to meet very interesting people from all walks of life doing what I do as "The Grateful Griller".
As the first round of food rolled off the grill and got consumed as fast as it was smoked the next "tapas" style fare hit the metal grid pattern and instantly sizzled as it met its dance partner. Smoke infused, maple glazed pork tenderloin with a light "GTO" steak spice crust was next on the list accompanied by a favorite of mine, maple/balsamic soaked portabellos, to die for and every client learns how to make them, its a must! As our daylight faded and the night sky took over our evening took an intriguing twist as Lady B. entered the scene but more on her later!
As the pork and mushroom medley neared completion I was putting the finishing lemon pepper touches on platter #3, some fine atlantic salmon I had purchased fresh that day. I continued to carve baguette at a bionic rate and I was in full "gto" mode at this point and loving every minute of it. Shortly after the final entrees were being served up Juan came around the corner to announce the main event was about to begin and to please gather in the spacious sitting room. Re-enter Lady B! A tall, slender, beautiful Moroccan woman with eyes as black as her hair. Lady B was hired as the evenings belly dancer to entertain Juan and his friends and no sooner than she made her entrance, the lights went down and I'm certain that the intoxicating sounds of drums and finger symbols could be heard all the way to Hull and back!
As I looked on and took the scene in I prepped dessert, while champagne was poured for the guests, none other than "The Tropical Black Eye", roasted oreo's, vanilla ice cream and seared pine apple drizzled with Calvados and a dash of cinnamon. It occurred to me as it always does that this is what the "grilled to obsession" lifestyle is all about, food, family, friends, music and evidently a belly dancer once in awhile, too much!
Feed the fire my grilling friends and the desire to take it higher!
The Grateful One
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