The Creative Edge Culinary Council

Last week I had the privilege of attending the Creative Edge Culinary Council's Taste of Catalan dinner. The Creative Edge is a catering company by day, but with the Culinary Council, founded by Carla Ruben, they have created a chef exchange program to bring some of the most talented chefs from around the world to work in their kitchens.

I have to admit that at first glance of the menu, filled with boundary-pushing exotic flavors, I was a bit intimidated, but the intimate setting, friendly and vivacious company, and approachable chefs eased me into what turned out to be a complete culinary rollercoaster, (free of the implicit motion sickness). The combination of raw shrimp and duck may not seem so palatable, but chefs Rafa Peña (El Bulli, Gresca) and Johan Jureskog (Rolfs Kok, Allmanna Galleriet) created one of the most memorable and flavorful dishes I've ever had in my life! The signature drink of the night, sangria with prosecco and rosemary infused gin, kept my thirst quenched until the last bite of the roquefort, apple, and lychee dessert - which was an exceptionally inventive combination of sweet and savory. I loved every bite, (though, admittedly, I skipped the veal).

What are some of the most memorable meals you've had? Do you find yourself pushing your palette and exposing your tastebuds to new (and maybe a bit foreign) flavors?