Behind the Flames at the St. Paul Chef’s Experience

The Great Northern is roaring around the Twin Cities in tandem with the Saint Paul Winter Carnival and the madness of the Super Bowl. Monday night a crew of chefs gathered in Lowertown over several roaring fires to cook up dinner as the Chef Experience. The event started last year when Adam Eaton of Saint Dinette teaming with Thomas Boemer of Corner Table and Revival. This year Tim McKee of the newly opened Octo Fishbar joined the crew along with Shane Oporto. Other chefs spotted on site were the Salty Tart’s Michelle Gayer making charred dessert magic with dangling pineapples plus the Handsome Hog’s Justin Sutherland and Gray Duck’s Donald Gonzalez were helping shave swordfish shawarma.

Guests checked in and were immediately offered hand warmers to fend of the single digit temperatures. Bars had been carved out of ice and were serving both cold and warm drinks like Saint Dinette’s famous Canadian Cold Press and a blueberry Hot Toddy. Beer experts from the Growler were on hand with just-above-freezing cold beer.

Rebecca Slater/Eater Twin Cities

Rebecca Slater/Eater Twin Cities

Rebecca Slater/Eater Twin Cities

Rebecca Slater/Eater Twin Cities

Rebecca Slater/Eater Twin Cities

Rebecca Slater/Eater Twin Cities

Rebecca Slater/Eater Twin Cities

Rebecca Slater/Eater Twin Cities

Rebecca Slater/Eater Twin Cities

Rebecca Slater/Eater Twin Cities

Rebecca Slater/Eater Twin Cities

Rebecca Slater/Eater Twin Cities

Rebecca Slater/Eater Twin Cities

Rebecca Slater/Eater Twin Cities

Rebecca Slater/Eater Twin Cities

Rebecca Slater/Eater Twin Cities

Rebecca Slater/Eater Twin Cities

Rebecca Slater/Eater Twin Cities

Rebecca Slater/Eater Twin Cities

Rebecca Slater/Eater Twin Cities

Rebecca Slater/Eater Twin Cities

Rebecca Slater/Eater Twin Cities

Rebecca Slater/Eater Twin Cities

Rebecca Slater/Eater Twin Cities

Rebecca Slater/Eater Twin Cities

There’s another outdoor festival tonight with Surly’s Great Northern entry. More fires, more snow and cold with beer. Tickets are $35 and the event begins at 5 pm.