by Stacy Cook – Food Blogger / Restaurant Critic for Vero Vine
Orchid Gourmet is on 14th Avenue in Downtown Vero Beach in a converted residence owned by Executive Chef Jesse Alexander. They have done a fabulous job keeping the external structure still looking like a home and a neighborhood feel. The entire venue is brand new including the kitchen with attention to modern style and industrial details. This venue can be reserved for private parties, but their specialty is on location catering and dinner parties. The dining area seats 12 comfortably at the table and 6 at the bar. They can create menus for any dietary constraints, tastes and budgets.
The presentation of individual hors d’oeuvers did not disappoint. Crisp, white serving plates were topped with detailed and colorful presentations making it contrast and hard to resist picking up and to eat.
Crab Cake Bites
The crab cake bites were made with jumbo lump crab meat and tarragon aioli inside, a dab of tarragon aioli on top, and an edible nasturtium flower leaf as garnish. I tasted it with and without the leaf and it was desirable both ways.
They brought out the actual flowers and we sampled them as well. The flower barely had any flavor and the stalks tasted like a light scallion. These flowers are grown on the property.
Beef Tenderloin Carpaccio
A beef tenderloin carpaccio, with arugula filling and parmesan + reggiano cheese and a champagne Dijon on top. You are supposed to swipe it into the sauce as you pick it up. It was outstanding!
Wild Mushroom Tartlets
A wild mushroom tartlet with cream cheese, shiitake, baby bella and enoki mushrooms inside. These are light and flavorful. As a mushroom fan I did not want to stop eating them. I wanted this whole plate to myself!
Artichoke Franchaise
Artichoke Franchaise is the sauteed heart and coated in a homegrown Meyer lemon beurre blanc sauce and finished off with a baby leaf of the nasturtium. So tasty!
Lobster Corn Dog
This was definitely something new I had not seen before. The lobster corn dog bites were served with champagne the Dijon mustard sauce which was a perfect pairing. The lobster pieces were large and the batter was very thin so you really could taste lobster with each bite. A lime was placed uniquely on the plate to hold the leftover sticks.
Meyer Lemon Sorbet
The sorbet was very refreshing! It was lightly sweetened, had a nice tartness to it, and it did have flecks of lemon rind in it. This would be the perfect summer dessert on a hot day!
While guests are arriving, drinks are served with views of Nate Harrington’s (NateHPhoto) Personal Art Gallery that is on display in the dining room. It is absolutely stunning to see in person. These photos do not do any justice!
Nathaniel Harrington
Orchid Gourmet is available for your private party. Chef Alexander will meet with you to help plan and organize the perfect meals for your fundraiser, special day, holiday party or just an evening out with close friends.
For catering booking information:
Orchid Gourmet Catering
1766 14th Avenue SW, Vero Beach, FL 32962
Owner & Executive Chef Jesse Alexander
(772) 532-4160
Jeremy Collins, Chef de Cuisine
Stacy was a Computer Lab Administrator for the University of Kentucky's MLK Microlabs AND ran his own website development/management firm while still in high school.While earning his BS in Telecommunications at UK, he became a New Media Developer at Mikrotek ISP; performed Internet Development for Host Communications/Total Sports, the NCAA AND was Vice President of Development for iHigh.com, a venture-funded start-up providing real-time sports statistics to media and internet users.
Since graduating, Stacy founded Edit-X in Denver, Colorado.At that time, Edit-X was THE most innovative software on the market, combining CMS and Ecommerce in a single software package.Edit-X became known as the most trusted resource for advanced online business development and has played crucial roles in a multitude of other internet businesses, including the largest privately held online dating sites and companies. Successful management of the online dating businesses gave Stacy access to tens of millions of dollars of new clients and marketingwork, propelling Stacy and his company into the Fortune 500 world.
After moving from Kentucky to Denver, Colorado and on to Miami, Florida, Stacy decided Vero Beach was the ideal spot to plant his feet and grow his family.He has lived in Vero since 2011. When not coding; marketing; chasing children:Ava, 11, Aden 9 & Myla 4; or promoting Vero Beach via VeroVine.com and VeroBeachFoodie.com; Stacy enjoys the Arts, dabbles in photography, enjoys Vero's nightlife with his wife, dreams of snowboarding and runs his family all over the Treasure Coast exploring the new & cool.
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