Alta Cocina : The Pop Up Feast

 

After a year in the planning, my dear friends, Erin-Lee and Darren Skilton, have finally pulled off their first pop up dinner, Alta Cocina! Erin, a successful casting agent/producer and Darren, a well-known off-road racer (think Dakar), together they are the talent behind Aventura! a concept travel company providing international off road adventure and cuisine tours.

Their love of Mexico has allowed them to befriend many of the culinary talent the Valle de Guadalupe has to offer. The biggest wine growing region in Mexico is home to many organic farm to table restaurants, dairies and craft breweries. One of the most notable is Chef Roberto Alcocer’s restaurant Malva, nominated 2014 Best New Restaurant in Mexico by Travel and Leisure Magazine.

Hosted in Long Beach for two nights only, Chef Alcocer provided a seven course tasting menu paired with Valle de Guadalupe wines  set in the intimate backyard of a beautifully restored Carroll Park craftsman bungalow.

Guests were welcomed with handcrafted snow cone cocktails, an amuse bouche, agua fresca and craft brews from Mexico.

Nothing makes a dinner party like fantastic friends!

Chef Alcocer and a guest.

Menu design by me, of course, and the dishes follow in order of the menu:

The cool kids.

Alta Cocina’s Darren and Erin-Lee Skilton with Chef Alcocer.

Given the success of the evening, there are already follow up evenings planned for the holidays with new chefs and culinary delights. Special thanks to Alta Cocina and Sandoval Photography for additional photos.

All photos ©JaneneDunbar except where noted.