Even though I enjoy cooking, I could get used to having a personal chef. Though it's something I've never really considered, meeting Eric Lassiter – or should I say, having Lassiter cook for me – last week got me thinking.
Lassiter and his partner Tre Stange run Serenade Personal Chefs, which, for a fee, will create a special gastronomic extravaganza at your home or event, for up to 20 people (though they're flexible, especially for a barbecue or cocktail party).
Lassiter and Strange will do most everything, from menu planning to shopping for ingredients, to food preparation, to serving the food, to providing wine service and a bartender, to clean up.
They'll cook breakfast, lunch or dinner and can also teach cooking classes for up to six people in your home.
Last week, Lassiter invited me over for a meal and while the food was fabulous, the whole experience was boosted by the chef's outgoing personality and great sense of humor. Lassiter understands the value of showmanship.
Lassiter started off by preparing a trio of finger foods, including a couple twists on old favorites.
His crostini appeared to be topped with hummus, parsley and halved grape tomatoes, but the spread was really a delicious and refreshing puree of eggplant and fennel, that shouted summer on a warm June evening.
His grilled jerk chicken skewers surrounded a bowl of dip that was a puree of bananas and guava, adding a sweet twist to a spicy kebab.
He also served a hearty mushroom strudel that had a rustic feel that complemented the other dishes.
Most fun was watching Lassiter prepare his scallops with a bacon and brandy reduction.
First, Lassiter chopped and sauteed Nueske's bacon – "what else," he asked with a smile – and draining off the fat, he added the scallops, giving them a spectacular sear. Next a sprinkle of brown sugar that quickly melted and caramelized in the pan before a brandy deglaze that Lassiter set aflame to put a flash of eye-popping excitement into the show.
For all his wit and charm, it is Lassiter's food that will grab you. Add the two together and Serenade would seem the obvious answer for the next dinner party you host to impress your boss.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.
He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.
With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.
He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.
In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.
He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.
