The new executive chef at the Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis, Kelley Schmidt, will debut a new dinner series at the downtown hotel next month.
Schmidt, who was announced as executive chef in early May, will co-host the first Mississippi Dinner experience at Cinder House at the Four Seasons alongside his culinary colleague, chef David Harrower of the Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans.
On Friday, June 16, the inaugural dinner will shine a spotlight on New Orleans cuisine, as well as Cinder House specialties.
The evening will begin on the Cinder House terrace with passed canapés, a bespoke cocktail and the opportunity to interact with the chefs. Dinner will follow in the Cinder House dining room for a multi-course menu served family-style.
The evening’s menu includes a French 75 cocktail in honor of New Orleans’ historic French Quarter district; chargrilled Louisiana oysters and fish ceviche as appetizers; BBQ shrimp, hand-carved suckling pig porchetta, cast-iron jalapeño cornbread and traditional Brazilian bean stew for the main courses; and pecan pralines and churro ice cream sandwich for dessert.
In addition to chefs Schmidt and Harrower, the dinner will be executed by the culinary team of Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis, including sous chef Marisol Santiago, executive pastry chef Tiffany Gilmore and advance sommelier Anthony Geary.
“I am so excited to join the team in St. Louis, it is an incredible opportunity on so many levels. The city has such a vibrant and evolving food scene, which is really energizing, and I’m thrilled to become part of it. And, of course, it’s an honor to work with such a talented team of craftspeople at the hotel,” Schmidt said. “Plus, there couldn’t be a warmer welcome than to host the first dinner in the Mississippi Series and celebrate both the cuisine of New Orleans and St. Louis. It’s just the perfect launch for my new role.”
Schmidt, most recently executive sous chef at Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans, is a 17-year veteran of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, first joining the brand’s Scottsdale resort as a cook while still in culinary school.
The Mississippi Dinner experience is $125 per person (plus tax and gratuities). An optional French wine pairing is available for $75 per person. Reservations are required.
