What’s better than one Michelin-starred chef in the kitchen? How about three? I attended the Tres Amigos 7-course collaboration dinner at Valle Oceanside.
Hosted by Michelin-starred Chef Roberto Alcocer from Valle Oceanside, guest chefs included Chef Tony Esnault of Michelin-starred Knife Pleat and Chef Chris Barnum-Dann of Michelin-starred Localis.
It was an incredible evening filled with good food and drinks, and an incredible opportunity to see the talent and creativity of these talented chefs. Each chef has a unique cooking style, so it was fascinating to watch them blend their Baja French and modern Californian influences into a 7-course dinner.
Valle Oceanside’s Michelin-Starred Events: What to Expect
With three Michelin-star chefs in the kitchen, I was intrigued to see how the chefs collaborated and decided on the dishes. The result was a menu that blended flavors and ingredients. It was a rare opportunity to witness chefs challenging each other to elevate every bite. The dishes were meticulously plated and I witnessed seamless orchestration in the kitchen, and chefs with so much passion.
Inside the Tres Amigos Dinner: A Seven-Course Michelin Feast
The seven-course dinner at Valle Oceanside had an option of pairing with a selection of fine wines and adding truffles to two of the dishes. Throughout the night, the chefs visited the guests, all of whom were invited to the kitchen afterward for a tour.
Botanas
A hand-held snack from Valle Oceanside, Knife Pleat, and Localis
PRIMERO
Clams with confit garlic, quelites, caviar (Valle Oceanside)
SEGUNDo
Barley risotto with foraged mushrooms, parmesan, with black truffle (Knife Pleat)
TERCERO
Pulpo with potato pavé, miso roasted cauliflower, mustard greens (Localis)
CUARTO
Black cod with black garlic, black beans (Valle Oceanside)
Quinto
Aged Crescent Farms duck, mandarinquat, and pain perdu (Knife Pleat)
Viva Mexico con Porto
Dulce de leche, piloncillo chocolate crémeux, peanut butter mole (Localis)
How Three Michelin-Starred Chefs Came Together
This was the fourth in the Tres Amigos series from Chef Roberto Alcocer at Valle Oceanside. The last collaboration dinner guests were Miguel Bahena (Madre, Ensenada) and Omar Valenzuela (AVIA, Mexicali & Célida Café, Ensenada).
Chef Roberto described his process of inviting guests, collaborating on the menu, and ensuring that the dishes tell a story.
Michelin-starred Chef Roberto Alcocer
Hailing from Valle de Guadalupe, Baja California, Michelin-starred Chef Roberto Alcocer has mastered the art of blending tradition with innovation. His farm-to-table restaurant, Malva, is a gem in Mexico’s wine country, while Valle Oceanside, his Michelin-starred spot in Oceanside, California, brings the bold, vibrant flavors of Baja to a whole new level. He has a deep respect for fresh, local ingredients and always puts a creative spin on classic dishes. Chef Roberto Alcocer has been nominated for the prestigious James Beard Best Chef: California award.
Michelin-starred Chef Tony Esnault
Chef Tony Esnault is a renowned French chef and the talent behind Knife Pleat, a Michelin-starred restaurant in Costa Mesa, California. Trained in classical French cuisine, he honed his skills under legendary chefs like Alain Ducasse. Esnault is known for his elegant, technique-driven dishes that celebrate seasonal ingredients. At Knife Pleat, he brings a refined and modern take on French fine dining, earning critical acclaim for his meticulous craftsmanship and sophisticated flavors.
Michelin-starred Chris Barnum-Dann
