Ready for the World Cafe - Japanese French Fusion

Just $12.00

The Ready for the World Cafe is a weekly dining experience provided by the University of Tennessee and Pellissippi State Community College Culinary Arts programs.  On Thursdays in both the Fall and Spring semesters, students develop and present an international menu.  Today's Japanese French Fusion lunch was the last of the Spring semester.

The Menu

The four course meal is served by a student, and Max was our waiter today.  Max was very observant and unobtrusive in his service.  Perfect qualities in a member of any waitstaff.

The first course was a Japanese take on a classic Salad Nicoise.  The hard boiled egg was replaced with tofu and the tuna was wasabi seared.  The whole salad including the miso vinaigrette was delicious.

A Japanese take on a Salad Nicoise

I am not always a fan of terrines so I wasn't sure about the French ratatouille terrine of vegetables topped with seaweed salad and served on a ponzu sauce.  That is, until I tried it.  This was an absolute hit.  The terrine was fresh and the colors were vibrant and and the sauce was slightly citrusy and perfect.  There were some beautifully fried white noodles on the side.

Ratatouille Terrine with Ponzu

The Salmon en papillote was freaking amazing.  I don't think that I have ever had a better tasting or better cooked piece of salmon.  One of my table companion's salmon had a portion that was under cooked.  Mine was so beautiful and delicious.

Salmon en papillote

Beautifully cooked

The honey sesame dessert eclair was very light.  I now think that I actually prefer red bean paste as a sweetener.  The red bean paste is less sweet and does not coat your tongue.

Honey Sesame Eclair

Filling sweetened with red bean paste.

I have to say that not every Ready for the World Cafe meal has rocked my world.  The Japanese meal last year with the Octopus and fish sauce salad dressing was a real yucky course.  Even the rest of that meal was great.

What a great deal.  The culinary students get real world experience.  The guests pay $12.00 and get to try new foods or old foods prepared in new ways.  #Winning!

Watch the Knoxville News Sentinel for the offerings for next fall and make your reservations early.