The pop and sizzle from a hot pan emanates from a ballroom curtained in salmon pink. Four chefs command momentary cooking area stations under crystal chandeliers as a crowd watches. There’s something even more interesting about this setup: The chefs– and their sous-chefs– all are females. They’re the stars of a mystery basket-style cooking demonstration (à la Chopped) during the inaugural Cork & Fork weekend at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. Hosted for its debut with the James Beard Foundation, the event elevates female talent in a traditionally male-dominated market.
” Over the last few decades, we’ve seen this remarkable shift in the cooking industry where increasingly more female chefs are leading dining establishment cooking areas, yet there are couple of occasions that straight highlight their accomplishments,” states David Jurcak, president of operations for Grand Hotel. “Cork & Fork is our way of honoring the efforts of extraordinary female chefs across the country and drawing awareness to their contributions to the field.”
The concept– now in its 2nd year– came about as a method to celebrate Elizabeth Schweitzer, the Grand Hotel’s master sommelier and the 8th woman in the world to achieve that classification. For more than 20 years, Schweitzer has chosen and combined white wines for the historic hotel’s nightly formal suppers, along with for the property’s other dining establishments.
Throughout Cork & Fork, Schweitzer leads an enjoyable blind wine tasting to educate guests, pitting Michigan red wines versus French ones and demonstrating the importance of choosing the best glasses. It all takes location within the floral-patterned walls of the Grand Hotel, an icon on this car-free island in Lake Huron. Take a break in between sessions to bike the 8-mile path around the island or sneak in a bite of fudge from one of the numerous sugary foods stores in the Victorian downtown.
Explore Mackinac Island
You’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time on Mackinac Island. Historical Fort Mackinac (visualized above) neglects Lake Huron and gives a bird’s- eye view of boat traffic.
Stay
Cork & Fork tickets include lodgings at the Grand Hotel, all weekend occasions and marked down ferryboat trips.
Meet
This year’s program will feature six guest chefs from around the country, including Christina Nguyen from Hai in Minneapolis and Debbie Gold from LeTour in Evanston, Illinois.
Play
Bop around the island through a directed Mackinac Island Carriage Tour or lease a bike from the Grand Hotel to see it yourself. Don’t miss out on Arch Rock in Mackinac Island State Park.
Eat
You’ll have plenty to consume at Cork & Fork, however for any remaining rumblings, a piece of Detroit ‘za from the new Mackinac Island Pizza Company will hit the spot. For a boozy reward, the frozen Rum Runner at the Pink Pony is a must.
