"I get corn stuck in my teeth..."
Really?! That’s why a
dish didn’t make the menu: because corn gets stuck in their teeth. Picture the scene...The guy next to you was worried that he might
have to roll his sleeves up at lunch to eat the dish. Laughing on the outside, I was crying on the
inside.
I’d developed a great take on the classic Mexican corn dish
… This version featured brick oven roasted corn on the cob, slathered with a
smoked paprika aioli studded with salty feta and fresh basil. The perfect combination of sweet corn, spice,
salt and creamy goodness. Definitely a
break from the traditional vegetable side dish that our restaurant sold and
certainly less classic that my predecessors had presented. But the dish was seasonal, on trend, easy to
make and damn good.
The tasting panel who approves our menu items aren’t our target
customer…and they know that. A funny
thing happened during the tasting; they all loved the dish, fought for second
helpings and commented on how delicious it was.
So why didn’t it make the menu?
Corn gets stuck in your teeth and it’s messy. Um, we have pizza, that’s messy and
wings…they get stuck in your teeth. Both of which you eat with your hands and
sometimes require a little sleeve-rolling.
So, three months later when July’s food magazines were
featuring summertime favorites from around the country were showcasing versions
of the Mexican corn dish, I was sad - Sad that we missed an opportunity. Like
knowing there’s a great party that you can attend but not making it because you
put the wrong day on your calendar and stayed home and watched reruns instead.
Better luck this year...I'm back at it and this time corn will make the menu!
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