Jeffrey Stout has come a long way since making rounds in pizza delivery. Today the California Culinary Academy alum is chef and managing partner at Orchard City Kitchen and BE.STEAK.A. He finds harmony in focused, clutter-less cooking—an approach he likens to opera. “The idea of one voice cutting through”— epitomizes his approach that allows fresh local ingredients to take center stage in his culinary creations. The delectable flavor combinations in his dishes pair melodiously with Highland Park Whisky, whose contrasting elements distinguish it from any other single malt scotch in the world.
Noting a renewed interest in the bar craft, and the drift toward cocktails and spirits, Stout touts Highland Park and BE.STEAK.A’s egg yolk raviolo as a “match made in heaven.” Tasteful hints of smoke in the whisky are brought to the forefront by charred leek ash and smoked corn meringue of the raviolo. The pairing “cannot get any more direct,” says the chef, who deciphered flavor notes of sweet citrus and vanilla in the spirit, with hints of oxidation like a tawny port. “The pairing is rounded out by the signature decadence of Highland Park, highlighted by the richness of the runny egg yolk, as well as the whisky-corn husk cream.”
It’s a combination that Stout would savor with friends and laughter. “I love the delicate smoke and subtle sweetness that Highland Park brings to the party,” he says, “a long, luxurious finish with whispers of sherry, citrus, and spice. It truly is a perfectly balanced whisky.”
“A Wild Harmony” is brought to life through a joint venture between Highland Park, an award-winning single malt Scotch whisky that hails from Scotland’s Orkney Islands, and acclaimed restauranteurs in San Francisco and Silicon Valley. Inspired by Highland Park, these gourmands created elevated and surprising culinary pairings to amplify the distinct flavor of the whisky. The chefs use the finest and freshest local ingredients to craft cuisine in their signature styles, which are then paired with the whisky’s rich combination of smoky and sweet flavors to achieve a harmonious crescendo. Highland Park shares the chefs’ admiration for unique yet flavorful combinations that result in exquisite pairings for connoisseurs of good taste. To learn more about Highland Park and where to buy your own bottle, visit HERE.
Photography by: Christophe Testi
