Chef Creates with Chef Armando Murillo
The Las Cruces Convention Center and Chef Armando Murillo invite foodies to come together to elevate their dining experience with themed dinners that bring forth new flavors and beautiful presentation. Chef Creates started with the intention of bringing the community together to share a space and enjoy a delicious and thoughtfully crafted meal.
Murillo is a Las Cruces native who attended the Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Los Angeles, California. He’s been in and around food service and the kitchen since the age of 16 where he started as a dishwasher and worked his way up the ladder. Murillo returned to Las Cruces and has been working diligently and freely at the convention center for about two years now, where he dedicates himself to serving up unforgettable meals.
The Menu: Vegan Delight
June's Chef Creates event was special in particular as Murillo and his team worked hard to design and present a completely vegan menu. They threw themselves into their research to ensure their menu rightfully respected the vegan diet while delivering exceptional flavors to the palate.
“We wanted something different, ingredients that people aren’t used to seeing on their plate — ingredients that are forgotten and we are bringing back for this menu,” Murillo said.
Helping him in the kitchen were sous chefs, Darrel Smith and Ramona Camargo. They assisted Murillo in preparing ingredients and piecing together dishes while sticking to schedule to ensure everything is plated in time for guests to enjoy.
For this menu the team had the goal — to elevate the vegan dining experience. Murillo's research brought him to craft these four dishes and a delicious dessert:
Coconut Cashew Rice Noodle Salad
Kabocha Ravioli with a Chile Lime Sauce
Corn Fritters with Basil Mayo
Grilled Panner
Chocolate Raspberry Tart
Murillo selected the kabocha squash for its unique lack of utility in kitchens here and corn fritters for something crispy but not fried. He detailed wanting an earthy taste for the tofu in the grilled paneer and ingredients to keep the salad tasting fresh and light.
“We want to show that vegan food doesn’t have to be boring, it can be exciting, it can be current, it can be tasteful,” Murillo said.
And he delivered later that night when guests polished off plates and basked in his creations. Strangers struck up conversations to delight in the bold and filling flavors and were strangers no more.
The Experience
Before dinner is served, guests are welcome to join the chef and other foodies for cocktail hour, where a signature cocktail and hors d'oeuvre are available to sip and snack on. Murillo makes his appearance to chat and answer questions as plating is finished in the kitchen.
Once patrons are seated Murillo presents his menu and how his creations came to be. Wine pairings for each dish are revealed and served. For this dinner wine pairings also included some words about the taste, harvest and choice of pairing from the provider. Murillo provides details behind each dish and what to taste and how to best enjoy the meal.
While patrons struggled to finish their plates by the last course, no one wanted to leave their plate full, and absolutely no one wanted to miss out on dessert. The rich and creamy flavor of the chocolate paired with the light and bold raspberry in the tart was the perfect end to the night.
Chef Creates with Chef Armando Murillo presents patrons with a delightful experience with an explosion of flavors, an elegant dining experience, and unique and thoughtful cuisine crafted to fit a fun new theme.
Don’t miss out on tasting bold flavors, smooth and perfectly paired wine and beautiful dessert, the next Chef Creates awaits! August’s event features Sabor do Brazil with Brazilian-inspired dishes. Find more information and purchase tickets here.