Chef-In-Training: Cooking Lesson With Executive Chef Joel Delmond @WestinMHR #FamilyTravel

Who knew that “Give our compliments to the chef” would lead to a cool culinary lesson! My family recently stayed at the Westin Mission Hills in Rancho Mirage. The resort was perfect spot for a staycation and birthday celebration. We stayed on site for all of our play time and meals. I love Italian food and the Westin’s Penzimini was the spot to splurge!

We thoroughly enjoyed our meals. Even my 6 year old daughter was impressed with her food. We asked our friendly waiter to give the compliments to the chef and he said, “How about telling him yourself”? Within minutes Executive Chef Joel Delmond came to our table. We discussed the menu and our food choices. However, my daughter wanted to talk about her dessert. She was extremely interested in the Sorbette e Gelati- three mini waffle cones, dipped in chocolate with three flavors of Gelato- that made my daughter’s day. My daughter’s curiosity and enthusiasm prompted the Chef to invite us to the Westin’s kitchen to see how he makes the waffle cones. We, of course, took him up on his offer!

The next day we met with Chef Delmond who personally took us back to the kitchen. A chef’s hat was waiting for my daughter’s arrival. I have to note that this was the biggest and cleanest kitchen I’ve ever seen! The agenda was to make cookies as well as those waffle cones. Delmond expressed that safety was the #1 concern in the kitchen and we talked about washing hands thoroughly before handling foods as well how to handle hot items.  Delmond and Teagan molded beautiful cookie dough to perfect round sweetness. Then the two made waffle cones together.

Chef Delmond has worked over 13 years with Westin hotels all over the country. He went to school in Europe for pastries. He also talked to us about visiting local farmers markets to buy fresh produce for the kitchen as well as working with local farmers to grow crops specifically for Westin Mission Hills.

The best part of our visit? Getting to eat the waffle cones that Teagan and Chef Delmond created. We also had a special treat when we returned to our room later that night. We were treated to a late night snack of the cookies that Teagan and Delmond made along with a glass of soy milk.

I believe it’s important to expose our children to as many opportunities as possible. Who knows what they will be attracted to? If anything,  my daughter was a chef for an afternoon. Thank you to Chef Delmond for opening his home away from home to us and providing my daughter a memorable experience. Thank you to the restaurant staff as well, they treated us like royalty and it was one of my favorite birthdays.

Stay tuned for my review on the Westin Mission Hills!

* Westin Mission Hills hosted our two night stay. We payed for our meals and extra amenities.