We have had a lot of great meals in our test kitchen, but one of my favorites took place recently when we hosted Chef Laurent Tourondel for a BLT Burger lunch. Laurent has partnered with us on several restaurants including BLT Steak at the Camelback Inn in Scottsdale and BLT Market at the Ritz-Carlton New York Central Park. He has two BLT Burger Restaurants, one in New York and one in Las Vegas.
As I have mentioned before, I love a great hamburger. It is wonderful to see Laurent, a classically trained French chef, embracing this great, simple food, and he does it so well. The menu consisted of several seasonal salads, a choice of the signature "BLT" Burger, a Turkey Burger or a Great Hills Blue Cheese Burger, cole slaw, French fries, onion rings, fried pickles and a "campfire" milkshake made of burnt marshmallows as well as several wonderful desserts made by Laurent's pastry chef.
I was very apprehensive about these fried pickles and I was surprised to find out that they are the number three top selling side dish on the BLT Burger menu. They wouldn't be my first choice but they actually tasted pretty good. Of course, the hamburger was the best of all.
Brad Nelson, our vice president of culinary and corporate chef, has recently redesigned his blog, Marriott In The Kitchen. You can read more and see photos from our lunch with Laurent on his blog.
I am Bill Marriott and thanks for helping me keep Marriott on the move.
Chef Laurent Tourondel Serves Up a BLT Burger
Mr. Marriott i m also a great hamburger lover. After seeing this i think Mr. Laurent is one of the best chef. I would love to try all this yummy stuff made by him. a href=http://www.hotels-finder.infoLuxury hotel finder/a
Posted by: Jaysom | 10/19/2009 at 01:24 PM
Maybe it's just me, but a burnt marshmallow milkshake seems a far cry from appetizing.
Posted by: Erin Wilson | 10/18/2009 at 11:28 AM
Dear Mr. Marriott,
A lot of times simple and delicious is the key behind an excellent meal experience. Trained chefs like Chef Laurent Tourondel is truly an asset in the hotel business. By the way while I was reading the exquisite menu you mentioned in your feature my appetite just went out of control. I rushed to a nearby awesome burger restaurant and had an excellent salad dish followed by a cheeseburger and French fries. No harm done, the meal was just splendid! I'm a burger admirer as well and love simple but delicious menus.
Posted by: Feras Werr | 10/18/2009 at 07:39 AM
Mr. Marriott, would you believe in one of my final year Chemistry courses-Food Chemistry, we spent several lectures on the power of Food in empowering Human Relationships: So I respond: Reliving the Ecstasy of Food.
Seeing I am into burgers, (thanks to my daughter Terica, presently a sophomore at Colgate University, Hamilton, New York) I will check in with Chef Laurent Tourondel, BLT Market and give you my feedback.
Posted by: Juliette Adams | 10/13/2009 at 03:39 PM
mmm mmm mmm good. I will have to try this very soon. nothing like a good burger
Posted by: Dawn | 10/13/2009 at 02:54 PM
Was pleased to read that Marriott is continuing to define the art of the burger. In today's environment where we're watching our intake of meat, I reserve a few days each month for a burger. Life is too short not to do so! And, as I told my husband recently, I like to enjoy my burger days when I am traveling and staying at a Marriott. I've noticed that whether I'm in DC, Dallas, London or Paris, Marriott always delivers a good burger. It's great to be an American and enjoy a burger...and it's always great to stay at a Marriott where you get a taste of home. Keep up the good work on all fronts!
Posted by: Joy Sabol | 10/13/2009 at 10:17 AM