Just got back from a quick trip to New Orleans which of course has left me a bit worn out. I was expecting a tame trip…fly down and get my work done, mingle a bit but that is it. Turns out the members of the PCMA, Professional Convention Management Association, like to have a good time.

The night I arrived I met up with Lori who had invited me down and a group of her fellow colleagues. We were going to the welcome party, which launched the three day conference. Over a thousand members get together each year in a different city to attend meetings and, more importantly, to have a good time.

Opening night was held at Mardi Gras World, where all of the floats hang out awaiting Mardi Gras every year. The place was huge! We were given a map when we walked in of all of the different areas. First was the welcome area where it was like the real parade, but just not moving. There were high school bands, different act and a lot of people in crazy costumes giving out beads. Mardi Gras has always seemed a bit overwhelming to me so I have never gone, but this really satisfied my curiosity of what it is like (though there would be thousands and thousands more people, and a lot more boobs being flashed for the beads).

In the main area there was a six or seven year old little girl performing (great voice but seemed a little odd to have such a small child performing) and various buffet tables of hors d’oeuvres and of course drinks. We hung out in the Voo Doo Lounge for a while where they had a dessert buffet made mostly of ice sculptures with a number of tanks of nitrous to make the ice cream. Very impressive. Lastly we went “outside” where a starry night on Bourbon Street was recreated. From there everyone headed to the real French Quarter to get more food and drinks. This was my kind of conference.

I did have to get some work done the next day, but I had a lot of fun doing so. The event was being held for about eighty guests at a beautiful historic event space, Latrobe’s, right in the heart of the Quarter. I have been very lucky with all of the kitchens I have invaded over the past year that everyone has been really cool and fun to work with, and the guys at Latrobe’s were no exception. They were getting ready for a three course meal to be served along with some passed hors d’oeuvres. I was brought down to do a cooking demo of one dish, which would be passed around during cocktail hour as well.

I decided to do a demo of my interpretation of Mussels Escabeche. Escabeche is a technique used in many different countries, using a variety of different ingredients. It usually begins with a very oily and rich fish such as Mackerel, which is cooked and then put in the marinade overnight. The marinade is what varies from region to region, however it always contains a type of vinegar, which is what cuts through the richness of the fish. It is then served room temperature to let the flavors all shine. I think that the nice plump richness of the mussels works great served this way. In my version, I use peppers, onions, garlic and fennel along with the vinegar and some fresh basil. I guess it is sort of a cross between a French and Spanish version of the dish.

After the demonstration, I invited eight guests to come up and join me for a “Quickfire” culinary relay race. This was always my favorite challenge from the show, probably because I am so competitive. Each of the four members of the team is given a culinary challenge which is to be completed in relay style. I chose some relatively easy tasks as the ones we did on the show (cleaning monkfish, making a gallon of mayo, etc) would not have been very appropriate. In the end I felt bad as the final two were whipping the heavy cream….I think the cream on one team got a little warm which makes it impossible to turn into whipped cream. Sabotage.

The rest of the evening was great as I got to meet all of the guests and join them for the great meal. Then of course the conference would not be complete without another huge party. This time it was at the House of Blues and there was an 80’s cover band that I hear has become a regular at the conference. It was time to dance the night away.

I just want to give a shout out to folks from the PCMA….what a great group of people. I think I might have to figure out a way to get invited every year.