Q: You created nine customized menus for our 2010 summer concerts. That’s a lot of planning! Did you have a favorite? A:
(he responds within a split second) The “One World Braise Menu.” The
idea of braised beef Madeira excited me in that it seemed, initially,
almost impossible. I followed through with my idea because I love to
embrace challenges when it comes to cooking. I love spending time with
cookbooks for inspiration and then getting creative. [This summer’s “One
World Braise Menu” boasted Tuscan Bread Salad, Braised Beef Madeira,
Artichoke & Blue Cheese Potato Gratin, Spinach & Mushroom
Stuffed Crêpes, and Crème Brûlée for dessert.]
Q: You sound passionate about your cooking. Is there a particular type of cuisine you enjoy working with the most? A:
I love the concept of country-style, slow-cooked foods—tasso ham,
anything barbeque. I make a mean paella. The process is what I find most
fun, and having the right equipment to make my own sausage, for
example, lets me experiment. I’d love to one day make my own beef jerky.
The more flavor, the better!
Scott Amaral
Chef Scott Makes His Sausages
Q: You must have a lot of friends wanting you to cook for them. What are the three “must-haves” for an enjoyable dinner party? A: Good friends, fun, and absolutely no stress! I wouldn’t cook for my friends if I didn’t enjoy it. We actually get together quite often. Of course, incorporating the right beverages is important also….
Q: Your culinary expertise includes many years working for Blackstone Caterers and The Market on the Boulevard. What makes your experience at Sweet Berry Farm unique? A: On any given day, I don’t necessarily know what I will be working with. One day our strawberries may be at their prime and I’ll incorporate them into a dish, or perhaps the next day our tomatoes. I’m always creating on my feet and have to adapt to the cycle of our crops. Bringing our produce literally from the field to my kitchen and then to our guests is a pretty neat concept. It inspires me. Coming to work every day is a pure pleasure.
Scott has been at Sweet Berry Farm sicne 2006. His signature dishes are home-style meatloaf, Italian sausage, beef stroganoff, and fried green tomatoes, all available in our Farm Market.
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