TASTE! Alaska

Explore and learn about all aspects of the local food scene. Together we can see what’s going on at restaurants, the markets and products as well as unique artisan items that make Alaska just a little different. Artwork by Lee Post, used with permission.


Rob Kinneen

Rob Kinneen was born in Petersburg, AK and started his career in culinary classes at the King Career Center by day and bustin' suds at local restaurants by night. He attended the Culinary Institute of America, worked prestigious dining establishments in New Orleans and Durham/Chapel Hill, then returned to Alaska in 2001 as Seven Glaciers chef, Noble's Diner inspiration, and now at Orso.

LOCAL CONNECTIONS

Alaska grown

Find those cool blue and yellow T-shirts and hoodies here, as well as seasonal market information.

Global Food Collaborative

A community of individuals, businesses, agencies and organizations committed to the food and food-based business in Alaska

PRODUCTS I USE

Moosetard: gourmet Alaska mustards

Locally produced artisan product with bold Alaska- nspired flavors. I use in spreads, for sandwiches, vinaigrettes and to finish meat sauces.

Alaska Chip Company

Potato chips made only from Alaska potatoes.

Alaska Birch Syrup

Made from birch tree sap and available in four flavors. Medium is the best to cook with.I use it for a birch syrup-brown butter sauce over pastas and incorporate it with crème brulees. Currently I'm using birch syrup to glaze pork belly for a summer dish.

Simple Pleasures of Alaska

Producers of spruce tip syrup, kelp pickles and other unique items out of Sitka.

Alaska Native-made jams, jellies and syrups

For thousands of years Alaskan Natives handpicked plump, sweet, wild berries. Today local and tribal residents continue this tradition, bringing some of these wonderful berries to our modern kitchen.

Alaskan Brewing Co.

Home of eight beers including Alaskan Amber, ESB, IPA and winter and summer ales.

Midnight Sun Brewing Co.

Home of year-round, seasonal, X-special and series beers.

Ring of Fire Meadery

In Homer since 2004. Meads and honey ciders produced without sulfites and with local fruits and berries.

Celestial Meads

Produce at least 18 meads, located in Midtown Anchorage.

ORSO Fresh Fare Travels, featuring Spain and Portugal - 11/12/2008 9:14 am

Join us at the ORSO bar for Soiree de la Fee Verte - 10/31/2008 12:54 am

Fresh Fare Travels, Spenard Builders Cooking Series... - 10/17/2008 9:06 am

Blackbird Restaurant, Chicago - 9/29/2008 10:27 pm

TASTE of Mardi Gras Event, TONIGHT - 9/26/2008 1:12 am

Alaskans helping Alaskans - 9/26/2008 12:47 am

A NOLA Rolla going back to his roots - 9/21/2008 12:32 pm

Lunch at Restaurant August in NO,LA - 9/21/2008 12:21 pm

Back from my prolonged "vacation"-Ready to POWER BLOG! - 9/21/2008 11:32 am

Chefs offer domestic, sustainable seafood recipes - 8/23/2008 11:14 pm

Goin' to Chicago!! - 8/14/2008 12:54 am

COCHON, The last grub fest in NO,LA - 8/10/2008 2:19 pm

GREAT AMERICAN SEAFOOD COOK OFF - 8/6/2008 1:48 am

The LowDown on CELESTIAL MEADERY, and ... - 7/24/2008 12:15 am

All the live long day... - 7/11/2008 4:14 pm

Workin' that RailRoad... - 7/11/2008 3:53 pm

Frittata Extravaganza - 7/5/2008 1:13 am

Summertime(finally) in Alaska... - 7/2/2008 12:34 pm

Cooks' dessert, ala Alaska - 6/16/2008 1:04 pm

Pork belly - 6/7/2008 1:15 am

Alaska Max, Alaska-riffic!! - 6/2/2008 1:04 pm

Assist Father Whine at Bernie's - 5/13/2008 12:31 pm

Miscellaneous Tidbits

Keeping busy with the Talbot Dinner that's happening next week. Menu changes and planning for summer time...

Saturday the 22nd I will be doing a cooking demonstration at Spenard Builders Supply on Tudor. I will be highlighting Lamb with an Alaskan Mustard vinaigrette and Spruce tip syrup.

"My connections" will be assisting me with making my own spruce tip syrup, so we'll be talking about that soon.

Moosetard mustard is made in Fox, Alaska. They have a bunch of fantastic flavors featuring Alaskan ingredients. The product is available at Sagaya-midtown, Alaska Max between Orso and Brewhouse , and online at

Website:www.moosetard.com/

At the Crow's Nest, we are currently using Simple Pleasures -Spruce Tip Syrup

Website: www.simplepleasuresak.com

I think the flavor really lends itself well to lamb.

Hope to see you at the demonstration this Saturday-
Rob