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.

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.

What's going on... - 2/4/2009 9:12 am

ALASKAN RAISED ELK, FDA Approved, AT ORSO - 1/23/2009 11:33 pm

An Alaskan Elk, FDA inspector and a vegetarian walk into the bar at ORSO! - 1/14/2009 1:29 am

New Years Eve, a recap - 1/8/2009 12:22 am

The Busiest Day of the Year. - 12/29/2008 8:36 am

ORSO Fresh Fare Travels and New Years Eve!!! - 12/22/2008 12:05 am

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

Blackbird Restaurant, Chicago

Comments (0) |

We went to Chicago last month for a friends wedding. The weekend was busy, the wedding consisted of a multiple dinners, a cocktail reception, and a catered blowout that also had Red Moon Theatre Company assist the caterer... This coincided with an Air Show over Lake Michigan-Nothing like waking up to Mach 1 jets rattling your hotel windows on the 10th floor- Our time was pretty structured, but we got away for lunch at local institution Blackbird. Local farm fresh fare with contemporary European flare. The food was SPOT ON!
www.blackbirdrestaurant.com or sister restaurant www.avecrestaurant.com
When Alaskans become Tourons...When Alaskans become Tourons...Crispy Pork Belly, English Pea puree and tendrils: complete with cracklin'sCrispy Pork Belly, English Pea puree and tendrils: complete with cracklin's

Good company compliments a mealGood company compliments a mealSwan Creek Farm Fried Chicken: with soft boiled egg, garlic scapes, pickled white plums, corn potato puree... Where's the egg?Swan Creek Farm Fried Chicken: with soft boiled egg, garlic scapes, pickled white plums, corn potato puree... Where's the egg?There's the soft boiled egg!There's the soft boiled egg!Lamb Burger, Housemade Fries, Summer Vegetables: The bun was hearty and firm-Which held up to the beautiful medium rare fresh, juicy burger.  The vegetables were a in a creamy dill dressing.Lamb Burger, Housemade Fries, Summer Vegetables: The bun was hearty and firm-Which held up to the beautiful medium rare fresh, juicy burger. The vegetables were a in a creamy dill dressing.For Dessert: Hibiscus roasted Pineapple over brioche with Ice creamFor Dessert: Hibiscus roasted Pineapple over brioche with Ice cream


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