McDonald’s Quality Ingredients Take Center Stage During Celebrity Chef Event

During a one-of-a-kind dining experience in New York City, McDonald’s Chef Event provided diners with a new perspective on McDonald’s food and quality ingredients.  On this night, we slowed down McDonald’s food experience with a multi-course meal that showcased McDonald’s ingredients. McDonald’s Chef Jessica Foust collaborated with nationally-acclaimed chefs, Aaron McCargo, Jr., James Tahhan and Dale Talde, to transform McDonald’s base ingredients into sophisticated dishes.    

The multi-course meal featuring McDonald’s quality ingredients, included the following menu:
 

Cocktails & Hors D’oeuvres

(Chef Jessica Foust, RD)

Mango Pineapple Mojito

Featuring McDonald’s Mango Pineapple Smoothie Base

Old Fashioned with Applewood Smoked Bacon

Featuring McDonald’s Applewood Smoked Bacon, Maraschino Cherry

McDonald’s World Famous French Fries

Appetizer

(Chef Dale Talde)

Kung Pao Chicken

Featuring McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets®, Sweet and Sour Sauce, Rice Wine Vinegar, Peanuts, Iceberg Lettuce

Entrée One

(Chef James Tahhan)

Tortilla Española with Garlic and Saffron Aioli

Featuring McDonald’s Hashbrowns, Eggs, Onions

Apple and Cucumber Chipotle Salad

Featuring McDonald’s Apple Slices, Cucumbers, Red Onions, Chili Lime Tortilla Strips, Fresh Limes, Spring Mix, Chipotle BBQ and Honey Mustard Sauces

Entrée Two

(Chef Aaron McCargo, Jr.)

BOLD BBQ Chicken

Featuring McDonald’s Crispy Chicken, Hashbrowns, Chipotle BBQ Sauce, Espresso, Cheddar Jack Cheese, Onions, Eggs, Applewood Smoked Bacon

Salad includes Cucumbers, Red Onions, Tomato, Fresh Lime, Cilantro Lime Glaze, Grill Seasoning

Entrée Three

(Chef Jessica Foust, RD)

Slow-Cooked Beef with Blueberry Pomegranate Sauce and Mac Fry Gnocchi

Featuring McDonald’s French Fries, Eggs, Blueberry Pomegranate Smoothie Base, Carrots and the 100% beef ground for our hamburger patties

Dessert

(Chef Jessica Foust, RD)

Pumpkin Spice Biznut (Biscuit-Donut)

Featuring McDonald’s Biscuit Mix, Pumpkin Spice Latte Syrup, Praline Topping, Cre

Our chef lineup for the evening included:

Chef Jessica Foust, RD

Chef and Registered Dietitian Jessica Foust is Manager – Nutrition & Culinary for McDonald’s USA. In this role, Chef Jessica leads culinary development for the Menu Innovation Team and provides nutrition subject matter expertise to the McDonald’s U.S. food and nutrition strategy. Managing day-to-day relationships with McDonald’s multiple suppliers she works with a diverse and creative team to generate and develop new menu items for McDonald’s 14,000+ U.S. restaurants. Some of the menu innovations that Foust has been involved with include the Fruit & Maple Oatmeal, Egg White Delight, Premium McWraps and Desserts.
 

Chef Aaron McCargo, Jr.

Aaron McCargo, Jr. competed on and won season four of The Next Food Network Star, beating out thousands of culinary hopefuls for the ultimate dream job – his own Food Network show. On Big Daddy’s House, Aaron shares his passion for big, bold flavors and fun, family cooking. From comfort foods to barbeque favorites to breakfast delights, Aaron whips up mouth-watering recipes, inspired by many years of culinary experience, while bringing a down-to-earth vibe and warm smile to the kitchen. Whether cooking with his children, relatives, or friends... big food and big fun reign supreme.
 

Chef James Tahhan

Born in Venezuela, Chef James developed a distinctive cultural base, exposing him to a cooking style and a custom that allowed him to build high taste standards in search of good food. He attended the prestigious Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts School, where he was regarded as one of the most outstanding students. His charisma and enthusiastic personality have allowed opened up many opportunities in the culinary field. At times working as a private chef and teaching small groups at home interested in learning how to cook. In early 2012 was brought onboard by Utilísima, a cable channel who selected him as their talent for its flagship program, "Puro Chef" where he shares his cooking secrets with all of Latin America.
 

Chef Dale Talde

Dale applies this distinct Asian-American experience to the menu of his eponymous restaurant, TALDE, located in the Brooklyn’s thriving Park Slope neighborhood. Dale opened TALDE—his first restaurant as chef/partner—in January 2012, and it quickly became a hit with diners and critics alike. In addition to his work in the kitchen, Dale was also a two-time cheftestant on Bravo’s Emmy Award-winning culinary show, “Top Chef.” He competed in season 4, as well as, on the show’s “All Star” season, and became one of the show’s most popular cast members.