KitchenAid workshop with Ron Ben-Israel and Marcia Selden Catering

Entry of Chef Ron Ben-Israel Cakes studio

Entry of Chef Ron Ben-Israel Cakes studio

One evening last week, I was invited to a workshop by KitchenAid, with Pastry Chef Ron Ben-Israel and Robin and Jeffrey Selden from Marcia Selden Catering. I went there with my friend Malini, The Restaurant Fairy, so now you will know that I am not wearing any nail polish and that it is her hand that you will see on the photos, holding some of the delicious bites we got to sample.

KitchenAid stand mixers

KitchenAid stand mixers

Of course, there were lots of KitchenAid appliances on the floor and I wish I could grab one and run: I love this brand and have been using their stand mixer for many years now, especially with the pasta attachment that is fantastic. I also love making egg whites there, as they end up firm (the test with putting the bowl upside-down never fails). 

Studio at Ron Ben-Israel Cakes

Studio at Ron Ben-Israel Cakes

First, we got an exclusive tour of the studio and were mesmerized by the beauty of the cakes and decorations that were all over: yes, I was amazed by the artistry put into this.

Decorations at Ron Ben-Israel Cakes

Decorations at Ron Ben-Israel Cakes

Cake display at Ron Ben-Israel Cakes

Cake display at Ron Ben-Israel Cakes

Cake display at Ron Ben-Israel Cakes

Cake display at Ron Ben-Israel Cakes

Cake display at Ron Ben-Israel Cakes

Cake display at Ron Ben-Israel Cakes

Flower decoration for cake at Ron Ben-Israel Cakes

Flower decoration for cake at Ron Ben-Israel Cakes

Cake display at Ron Ben-Israel Cakes

Cake display at Ron Ben-Israel Cakes

Flower decoration for cake at Ron Ben-Israel Cakes

Flower decoration for cake at Ron Ben-Israel Cakes

Flowers decoration for cake at Ron Ben-Israel Cakes

Flowers decoration for cake at Ron Ben-Israel Cakes

Flower decoration for cake at Ron Ben-Israel Cakes

Flower decoration for cake at Ron Ben-Israel Cakes

We also visited the kitchen where the crew of Marcia Selden Catering prepared some amazing food for us. Here is what we had:

Roasted honey pistachio nori roll with goat cheese, asparagus and beet vermicelli:

Roasted honey pistachio nori roll from Marcia Selden Catering

Roasted honey pistachio nori roll from Marcia Selden Catering

Roasted honey pistachio nori roll from Marcia Selden Catering

Roasted honey pistachio nori roll from Marcia Selden Catering

Salted caramel macaron with camembert and almonds:

Salted caramel macarons from Marcia Selden Catering

Salted caramel macarons from Marcia Selden Catering

Salted caramel macarons from Marcia Selden Catering

Salted caramel macarons from Marcia Selden Catering

Spicy tuna tartare with crackling rice crisp, avocado and red Sriracha cream:

Spicy tuna tartare from Marcia Selden Catering

Spicy tuna tartare from Marcia Selden Catering

Spicy tuna tartare from Marcia Selden Catering

Spicy tuna tartare from Marcia Selden Catering

Cheddar sirloin burger on onion brioche roll, balsamic onions and mango ketchup:

Cheddar sirloin burgers from Marcia Selden Catering

Cheddar sirloin burgers from Marcia Selden Catering

Cheddar sirloin burger from Marcia Selden Catering

Cheddar sirloin burger from Marcia Selden Catering

Cheddar sirloin burgers from Marcia Selden Catering

Cheddar sirloin burgers from Marcia Selden Catering

Peking duck Spring rolls with hoisin sauce and chives:

Peking duck Spring rolls from Marcia Selden Catering

Peking duck Spring rolls from Marcia Selden Catering

Peking duck Spring rolls from Marcia Selden Catering

Peking duck Spring rolls from Marcia Selden Catering

Squid ink blini with a smoked salmon crudo, black caviar and lemon tarragon fraiche:

Squid ink blini with smoked salmon from Marcia Selden Catering

Squid ink blini with smoked salmon from Marcia Selden Catering

Lamb lollipop with orange sesame tahini:

Lamb lollipop from Marcia Selden Catering

Lamb lollipop from Marcia Selden Catering

But wait: this did not end there! Then there was the workshops where we got to sample the dishes and cocktails made.

First, we got a demo from Jeffrey Selden who, using KitchenAid appliances, made several cocktails that we got to sample. One of them, the cucumber chiller martini, was made with a juicer attachment to a stand mixer that seem great for making fresh juices.

Jeffrey Selden  from Marcia Selden Catering presenting cocktails

Jeffrey Selden  from Marcia Selden Catering presenting cocktails

Stand mixer with juicer attachment from Marcia Selden Catering

Stand mixer with juicer attachment from Marcia Selden Catering

Hibiscus Mar "tea" Ni made by Jeffrey Selden from Marcia Selden Catering

Hibiscus Mar "tea" Ni made by Jeffrey Selden from Marcia Selden Catering

Frozen margarita made by Jeffrey Selden from Marcia Selden Catering

Frozen margarita made by Jeffrey Selden from Marcia Selden Catering

Cocktails made by Jeffrey Selden from Marcia Selden Catering

Cocktails made by Jeffrey Selden from Marcia Selden Catering

Cucumber chiller martini made by Jeffrey Selden from Marcia Selden Catering

Cucumber chiller martini made by Jeffrey Selden from Marcia Selden Catering

Hibiscus Mar "tea" Ni made by Jeffrey Selden from Marcia Selden Catering

Hibiscus Mar "tea" Ni made by Jeffrey Selden from Marcia Selden Catering

Pineapple minted daiquiri made by Jeffrey Selden from Marcia Selden Catering

Pineapple minted daiquiri made by Jeffrey Selden from Marcia Selden Catering

Next were the dishes (one entrée and a dessert) presented by Executive Chef Robin Selden. First were a carrot ginger mash with oats and pecan crumbles served with some short ribs that were out of this world!

Executive Chef Robin Selden from Marcia Selden Catering

Executive Chef Robin Selden from Marcia Selden Catering

Short ribs made by Executive Chef Robin Selden from Marcia Selden Catering

Short ribs made by Executive Chef Robin Selden from Marcia Selden Catering

Executive Chef Robin Selden from Marcia Selden Catering

Executive Chef Robin Selden from Marcia Selden Catering

Short ribs and carrot and ginger mash made by Executive Chef Robin Selden from Marcia Selden Catering

Short ribs and carrot and ginger mash made by Executive Chef Robin Selden from Marcia Selden Catering

Then was a succulent dessert: a burnt honey and chamomile panna cotta. 

Burnt honey and chamomile panna cotta made by Executive Chef Robin Selden from Marcia Selden Catering

Burnt honey and chamomile panna cotta made by Executive Chef Robin Selden from Marcia Selden Catering

Of course we got to try these cocktails and dishes and, believe or not, there was still the part when Chef Ron Ben-Israel was demoing how to make a beautiful chocolate cake (and we ate some: a chocolate cake made with chocolate ganache and wild berry buttercream, as well as a chocolate chip cookie dough made with a vanilla cake, brown sugar buttercream with chocolate chips).

Chef Ron Ben-Israel

Chef Ron Ben-Israel

Chef Ron Ben-Israel 

Chef Ron Ben-Israel 

Chef Ron Ben-Israel making a cake

Chef Ron Ben-Israel making a cake

Cakes made by Chef Ron Ben-Israel

Cakes made by Chef Ron Ben-Israel

Chef Ron Ben-Israel's cake

Chef Ron Ben-Israel's cake

Cakes made by Chef Ron Ben-Israel

Cakes made by Chef Ron Ben-Israel

This was a wonderful evening organized by KitchenAid and our hosts were so nice and knowledgeable. If I were to renew my vows, I would definitely use Marcia Selden Catering for the food and Ron Ben-Israel for the cake: it was simply delicious.

Enjoy (I did)!

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