16.05 Salmon Ice Cream Brings Accolades for Russian Embassy Chef

WASHINGTON, May 16 (RIA Novosti) – Roman Shchadrin, the chef at the Russian embassy in Washington, has received a People’s Choice Award for showcasing salmon ice cream at the Embassy Chef Challenge 2014 on Friday.

“I found this recipe in a very old book. The dish used to be served at the Court of [the Empress of Russian Empire] Catherine the Great. It’s an exotic recipe but with a very strong Russian accent,” Shchadrin told RIA Novosti.

“Yolks boiled in cream and butter have to be poured into a bowl placed in an ice bucket. The bowl has to be constantly spinning. The ice cream can be served as soon as it thickens,” he added.

The chef served the appetizer on cheese bread with béchamel beluga caviar sauce.

Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak helped Shchadrin select the dish for the competition.

“I offered him several dishes and he chose this one,” said the chef, who earlier worked in the Russian embassy in Argentina and a famous Moscow restaurant.

“I always consult with the ambassador,” he added, thanking chefs from the other diplomatic missions for appreciating his dish.

Chef Jiraporn Bunlert from the Royal Thai Embassy won the Judges’ Choice award for a spicy Thai salad with salmon carpaccio.

The Embassy Chef Challenge allows chefs from around the world to showcase their best dishes, with the proceeds going to charity. The jury is composed of famous Washington chefs and local food critics.