The restaurant’s menu at Chetola Vacation resort in Blowing Rock displays the worldly tastes and culinary influences of Executive Chef Matthew Rivers.
The range of the menu could be thought of the fruits of his ordeals. But getting been born and raised below in NC – he also stays targeted on his heritage – typically introducing a contact of Southern twang to his dishes.
Matthew’s been at Timberlake’s Restaurant for about 6 yrs. He’s also the food and beverage director, overseeing all functions for the restaurant and particular functions. His menu improvements seasonally – normally twice a calendar year at spring/summertime and drop/winter season with exclusive features presented at the arrival of every single new year.
For every menu transform, Matthew researches seasonal substances that best symbolize what’s readily available at the time. He then incorporates people – finding artistic with dishes that combine numerous cuisines with his a lot more worldly style tastes.
Because of to his wife’s affect, Asian Fusion cuisine is possibly the strongest impact on the menu. But I can also see a Japanese affect with sushi, and Korean – the ribs perform on that. There’s also a tiny authentic Italian represented, as Matthew worked underneath an Italian chef, as nicely as French and intercontinental influences – with mouth watering Hawaiian prawns showcased on the menu. The variety of entrees represents foodstuff from all more than the world.
Acquiring absent to large faculty in Avery County, Matthew has lived in the substantial region for additional than 20 years. He began lifestyle as a foodie. His father and brothers have been in the restaurant company for a whilst – so food’s constantly been a major section of his existence. As a youthful boy, he wanted to try to eat as many unique food items as he could.
His mom’s an inspiration, as properly. She’s an awesome cook dinner who taught herself primary Southern delicacies – a lot of of her recipes are ones she concocted.
“She cooked almost each and every night time of the week except 1 – that night time was named the ‘fend for yourself’ night.”
Matthew and his brother would put a food jointly, creating up recipes from whatsoever was accessible in the pantry and refrigerator – a lot like their mom did.
After Matthew obtained into his preteens, he started wanting to find out how to cook. He grew up observing Jacques Pepin and Julia Baby on PBS – the pair cooked together, bringing French delicacies into the American domestic again in the ’80s before there were being Tv networks.
As a boy, he dreamed of getting a Tv set chef – prolonged right before he was old plenty of to have a career.
Later on, Matthew took culinary courses in higher school, but he didn’t go to college or university for culinary training. While he was recognized to Le Cordon Bleu Faculty of Culinary Arts in Atlanta, Matthew determined not to go because of to the cost. Although coaching under good cooks, he was encouraged to conserve his funds – he could be taught all the things he desired to know.
Matthew started out working at the Banner Elk Café as a dishwasher. He landed a occupation later rolling sushi at the Corner Palate. This restaurant had sections on the menu that mirrored unique regions of the planet – pretty much all four corners.
From Linville Ridge Country Club, Matthew went on to Westglow Resort and Spa in Blowing Rock – a Relais & Chateaux home – with just one of the most famous eating places in the world. Listed here, the younger chef learned significantly about regional components and designed a tiny menu that fed only 30 individuals a day – a single he individually designed. From soup to entrée to baked items – he did it all himself. He grew to become the Govt Sous Chef – and was there four many years.
Functioning a restaurant is challenging – though hoping to preserve up the good quality of foods for the massive quantity of patrons he serves. Being present-day with foods trends, Matthew’s normally seeking to enhance his meal options. Whilst the menu was more relaxed when he commenced, the govt chef’s taken it up a notch. His objective is to continue to provide a fantastic, high-quality dining experience to individuals though protecting a casual ambiance.
Matthew enjoys likely out and chatting with people – specifically on weekends when he has much more time.
He had a handful of words and phrases about the restaurant’s namesake, Bob Timberlake.
“I’ve achieved him on many events – I go out to speak to him and verify on his meal. He’s incredibly quiet and by no means draws interest to himself – he does not even connect with ahead to explain to me he’s coming.”
Frequently, clients aren’t aware they’re sitting down ideal beside Timberlake – even though he’s sharing his preferred fishing spots with them.
“That’s how Bob is – so humble and relaxed – just a tremendous man. He’s so down to earth and these a great, amazing gentleman,” Rivers claimed.
A excellent estimate by Timberlake is composed on the wall of the cafe : “I don’t know how to cook dinner, but I know individuals who do.” Without a question, he found a talented chef who’s eaten his way about the environment.
Although Matthew has fulfilled his life’s need, he’s nevertheless mastering and perfecting his culinary abilities – and nonetheless shopping for a lot more cookbooks. Not long ago, he participated in the North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association’s cooking competition the place he gained the People’s Option Award for Greatest Savory Entrée.
As a end result of the gain, Matthew grew to become a Culinary Ambassador for Got to be NC – a section of NC agriculture that encourages persons to prepare dinner with nearly anything produced in the point out.
“We’ve been hoping really hard to get extra area components integrated into the food items we produce.”
Earning a conscientious hard work to increase each and every working day, his mantra is, “Better now than we have been yesterday, and superior tomorrow than we are now.”
As Matthew mirrored upon his previous, he experienced this to share. Study as a lot as you can from as many folks as you can. From your grandma to skilled cooks – they all have anything you can understand. He realized a ton from his mom and grandma – all those down-house southern foodstuff like collard greens and mashed potatoes. His loved ones even now retains a back garden to this day – for one easy cause: foodstuff just tastes improved when you develop it than when you purchase it at a shop. Matthew also is aware a lot about canning and preserving foods that lasts all calendar year prolonged – he grew up with no squander.
His mother’s a florist and a gardener. She retains a little outdated-university Rolodex of his Fantastic-Grandma Brown’s recipes. The card notations reflect his Grandma’s way of cooking back then – a pinch, a contact, or a handful of this or that.
“I’ve integrated the cookie and cake recipes I grew up with – they are even now some of the finest desserts I have ever had.”
Timberlake’s Restaurant at Chetola Resort is open up to the community each individual day of the yr which includes Thanksgiving and Christmas times and serves breakfast, lunch, and meal. Following getting showcased in the Oct issue of Our State Journal, reservations for Thanksgiving sold out in two several hours, and they’ll be serving about 600 individuals that working day. The cafe will start out getting reservations for Christmas Working day on Dec. 6. So be guaranteed to simply call early.
DUCK Cure & SMOKE WITH GRAPE COMPOTE
1 cup salt
1⁄2 cup sugar
1 Tbsp. white pepper
1 Tbsp. dried thyme
1 tsp. 5 spice
Prick duck skin with a modest knife multiple periods to permit unwanted fat to escape. Season duck legs with cure mix and allow sit for at the very least 24 hrs and up to 48 hours. Rinse and dry duck. Smoke for 1 hour then layer in big pan and deal with with duck fats. Wrap pan in plastic wrap and foil and put in 300-degree oven for 3 hrs or until eventually tender. Let duck awesome in the body fat.
ROASTED GRAPE
COMPOTE
2 baggage of crimson, seedless grapes
1 Tbsp. dried thyme
1 tsp. salt
1⁄4 tsp. floor black pepper
2 Tbsp. blended oil
2 cups cranberry juice
1⁄2 cup port wine
1 Tbsp. chopped garlic
In a mixing bowl, include grapes, thyme, salt, pepper, and oil. Toss to merge. Roast grapes at 325 levels on a liberally sprayed parchment-lined sheet pan for 20 minutes. Then position roasted grapes, cranberry juice, port, and garlic in a medium saucepot and cook for 10-15 minutes right up until sought after regularity has been reached. Change seasoning if desired.
SAUTEED TROUT
IN ALMOND CRUST
2 cups slivered almonds
4 cups panko bread crumbs
2 lemons zested
2 Tbsp. finely chopped garlic
1⁄4 cup finely chopped parsley
6 trout (8-10 oz. just about every)
Pulse almonds in food processor until eventually desired consistency. In a significant mixing bowl, incorporate almonds and the rest of substances and stir to incorporate. This is ample for 6 trout filets 8-10oz just about every. Put trout flesh sides into almond crust to coat trout. Cook dinner in a huge skillet with 2 tablespoons oil in excess of medium warmth for 5 minutes or until eventually crust is golden brown. Flip trout about and cook for a further 5 minutes. Take out from pan and repeat with remaining trout filets. To plate, major each and every trout with 3 tablespoons of apple chutney and pair with some rice and inexperienced beans or your most loved sides.
APPLE CHUTNEY
6 apples diced
1 onion diced
1 Tbsp. chopped garlic
2 Tbsp. mustard seed
1 cinnamon stick
1⁄4 cup of fresh new chopped tarragon
1⁄2 cup apple juice
1⁄2 cup bourbon
1⁄2 cup water
1⁄2 cup apple cider vinegar
3⁄4 cup brown sugar
1⁄2 tsp. crushed red pepper
1 tsp salt
Merge all elements in medium pot and provide to simmer in excess of medium-substantial heat. Lower to small and cook dinner for 20-30 minutes or till apples are cooked and onions are translucent. Clear away cinnamon adhere. Thicken with cornstarch slurry if wanted.
PORK CHOP
WITH CHORIZO GRAVY
4 bone-in pork chops, 1 inch thick
Salt and ground black pepper
Chorizo Gravy
1 lb. of chorizo
1 onion diced
1 Tbsp. chopped garlic
2 quarts hefty cream
1 tsp. sherry vinegar
Salt and ground black pepper to taste
In a medium saucepot, saute onion for a number of minutes over medium heat right until translucent. Include garlic, and cook dinner for one more moment then include chorizo, and cook dinner right up until chorizo is totally cooked. Strain chorizo combine, discarding unwanted fat, and place chorizo back again in pot, and include heavy product, sherry vinegar, salt, and pepper. Cook dinner in excess of medium warmth right until cream has dime-sized bubbles. Use 1 tablespoon cornstarch and 1 tablespoon h2o mixed alongside one another for thickening if necessary to access wished-for consistency.
SWEET POTATO CHIPS
1 sweet potato
2 cups oil for frying
Slice sweet potato slender on a mandolin or use vegetable peeler to get extensive skinny strips. Fry in oil until eventually crisp, turning above as soon as.
