Charlestown Celebrates Seafood with Chef’s Table Dining Event

Residents rave about four-course gourmet wine dinner

Catonsville, Md. – Charlestown, a continuing care retirement community managed by Erickson Living, recently hosted a special Chef's Table dining event featuring a four-course meal complete with wine pairings created by Executive Chef Kevin Jones.

At Charlestown, residents enjoy delicious dining every day with their pick of seven unique on-campus restaurants. Whether they choose to grab-and-go from the community's casual cafés or enjoy a leisurely dinner with friends, there is always a variety of fresh menu offerings, executed at the moment of service by experienced culinary professionals and delivered in distinctive dining venues.

The special Chef's Table event provided an extraordinary opportunity for residents to enjoy a gourmet dining experience right down the hall from their apartment home—no driving, parking or crowds required.

Inspired menu

The intimate dining experience was limited to 41 residents and sold out quickly. Chef Jones, who leads the team of culinary professionals at Charlestown's beautiful and popular Atrium restaurant, designed a special menu focused on celebrating seafood, a nod to his Maryland roots.

"That was the best part for me, being able to tap into my experience being a chef in Maryland and do something a little different to provide residents with an extra special evening," said Jones. "It was the perfect chance to express my culinary creativity while enhancing the experience our guests have here at Charlestown."

Originally from the Baltimore area, Jones grew up enjoying steamed crabs and other fresh seafood from the nearby Chesapeake Bay. Inspired by this experience, his "Seafood Celebration" menu started guests off with an appetizer of Spicy Garlic Shrimp with Grilled Naan Bread, accompanied by Chardonnay.

For the salad course, guests enjoyed a Crispy Calamari Salad with tri-color peppers, shiitake mushrooms, mixed greens, spring onions, crispy noodles and a sesame vinaigrette. Sake served as a perfect pairing for the fresh Asian-inspired dish.

The main course featured Dijon Herb Breadcrumb-Encrusted Halibut Filet with lump crab meat, chive mashed potatoes, asparagus, sweet corn, marinated tomatoes and a cracked mustard lemon butter sauce, paired with a lovely Pinot Noir.

For dessert, Chef Jones and his team prepared their signature "Raspberry Chocloate Magnifique", a baked merinque topped with raspberry whipped cream and dark chocolate shavings served with fresh raspberries and sauces. A glass of port brought out all of the dish's rich flavors.

Rave reviews

Based on feedback from residents, it's safe to say that guests enjoyed the meal.

"Wow! That is the only word that describes Chef's Table. Chef Kevin's food was excellent. The wine pairings complemented each course beautifully," said resident Connie Andrews.

"We had the distinct pleasure of attending Kevin Jones' wine pairing meal. What a wonderful time! Your staff was outstanding! The meal was wonderful," said Steve and Ruth Whelley, who joined Charlestown resident Mimi Jones for the special evening.

Encore, encore!

"The response to the Chef's Table dinner has been incredible. Residents are still talking about it," said Aida Blanco, Charlestown's Director of Dining. "It's these types of special events that set Charlestown apart, further enhancing the vibrant retirement lifestyle our community offers."

In fact, Chef's Table was received so positively by guests that Charlestown now has three more of the special dinners planned throughout the remainder of the year. Each one of Charlestown's Executive Chefs will have an opportunity choose their own theme and design a special menu for residents to enjoy.

"When you get two standing ovations from your guests, that's pretty special," said Jones. "That's the end result I think all chefs want."

Residents agree—and are eager for the next event.

"The presentation and decorations were beautiful and the food exquisite! We so enjoyed ourselves on this "night out"!" So looking forward to the next Chef's Table dinner," raved Charlestown residents Emilie Sosnoski and Jerry Reed.

About Charlestown: Charlestown, one of 20 continuing care retirement communities managed by Erickson Living, is situated on a scenic 110-acre campus in Catonsville, Maryland. The community is located in Baltimore County and is home to more than 2,000 residents who are supported by a team of more than 1,200 employees. Additional information about Charlestown can be found at CharlestownCommunity.com.