A Dinner Party Full of The Force

Chef Ed’s son, commanding a squadron of imperial tortellini

If you’ve taken a Sur La Table Cooking Class, then you know that our Resident Chefs are passionate about food. Combine that passion with one for, say, a mega movie franchise, and that’s a whole lot of excitement in the kitchen.

So, in celebration of a certain little indie flick you’ve probably never heard of that happens to be opening this week, we thought it might be fun to do just that. We sat down with Ed Kernan, Senior Resident Chef at the Dallas Sur La Table store and die-hard Star Wars fan, and asked him what his dream Stars Wars-themed dinner party might look like. Let’s just say the food Force is strong with this one— and this chef has the pun skills to match his knife skills! Here’s how our conversation went:

Q: Hi, Chef Ed! Let’s get right to it: if you could invite any five Star Wars characters to this dinner party, which ones would it be?
A: Han Solo, Chewbacca, Lando Calrissian, and Boba Fett because you know there’s history there. Throw in Yoda so we can talk about the Force.

Q: Interesting that you chose to invite Chewie. What do you think he would bring to the party, energy-wise? Any concerns about table manners?
A: Chewie, much like my middle child, would be a wild card. Not really sure how he will act and not sure if Han can control him. Essentially the whole group will be pointing blasters at each other under the table, so manners are not my main concern.

Q: What dishes would you serve? Break it down for us, Chef.
A: Here’s what I would make:

• Mos Eisley Cantina Salsa and Chips– It may be a wretched hive of scum and villainy, but you know they can knock out some killer salsa… and every party needs chips and salsa.
• Boba Feta Cheese and Olive Flatbread – grilled flatbread topped with a mix of cured olives and a bounty of feta cheese.
• Tusken Raider Marinated Flank Steak – Flank meat off of one of Tatooine’s many creatures marinated with lemon, garlic, and rosemary. It is then grilled over an open fire pit in full view of a binary sunset.  [Blogger’s note: if you don’t have a fire pit, and also live on Earth, we suggest using a grill pan. On a stove.]
• Admiral Ackbar King Cake – Whoever gets the action figure of the Rebel Alliance’s favorite Admiral trapped in their slice has to buy a round of Death Star Bombs the next time we all go out.

Q: Sounds delicious! Let’s say there’s a fight for the leftovers. Who would win?
A: Leftovers go to the man with the best escape plan. My money is on Boba Fett with his jet pack…as long as it doesn’t malfunction.

Q: Last question: how are you feeling about The Force Awakens?
A: Cautiously optimistic. I’m taking my two older boys to it on opening day. And yes, they’ll probably be dressed as Darth Vader.

In the Dallas area? Check Chef Ed out live and in person at an upcoming Cooking Class. You can also see what he and the mini-Vaders are up to in and out of the kitchen on Instagram: @edkernan9. For those of you heading to the movies this week: may the Force be with you.