By: Chef Paul O’Toole CEC/AAC
Executive Chef – Deerfield Golf & Tennis Club

As a Chef, there are advantages and disadvantages to all kinds of cooking. Sometimes it has to do with the time of day. Sure, getting up in time to cook breakfast for 250 or 300 people in the ballroom means that my alarm clock goes off very early. But then again, that 275 person wedding on a Saturday night means it’s well into Sunday morning before my day is through.

Then, of course, there’s the timing of enjoying a meal myself. And of them all, brunch just might be my favorite. What other meal offers what brunch offers? The calming warmth of a big breakfast, the hearty salads and sides associated with lunch, the rich entrees that normally accompany dinner, and the tempting sweet desserts that make it complete – all wrapped up in one tidy package… Sunday Brunch.

At Deerfield, the turning of the leaves to their typical fall brilliance and the crisp cool mornings mean that it’s time for the kickoff of Sunday Brunch. If you’ve never had Sunday Brunch here at Deerfield, I encourage you to come out and see me.

We host Sunday Brunch in the Ballroom most weeks, and largely due to the sheer square footage required to do Sunday Brunch the way we do it here at Deerfield. Every week, my culinary team and I make available over 111 feet of delicious brunch selections. That’s dozens and dozens of different breakfast items, entrees, accompaniments, carved items, made-to-order items, desserts, bar selections and more. Thank goodness I have about 10,000 square feet to work with!

Another appeal of brunch are the made-to-order items. We offer omelets, waffles and pancakes all made-to-order every week, with terrific mix-ins and delicious toppings so you can have it exactly the way you want it.

Brunch’s biggest attraction is its variety. Eggs benedict beside some carved tenderloin followed by bread pudding and washed down with a glass of champagne. Where else do you get to indulge in that eclectic combination than at brunch? If Bloody Mary’s or mimosas are more your speed, we have that too! Our Tableside Brunch Bar rolls through the Ballroom throughout the day for made-to-taste Bloody Mary’s and delicious mimosas poured tableside.

And let’s not forget my personal favorite – my Raw Bar! Chef Paul’s Raw Bar will be bigger and better than ever before, with shrimp cocktail, smoked fish, oysters and clams on the half shell, mussels, and more making appearances on a landscape of crushed ice. My raw bar is elegant, indulgent, and always fresh from the sea.

And dessert? You won’t believe the amazing sweets and creamy delectables you’ll get to top off your brunch experience.

But let’s say you want to bring some of the magic of brunch to your own family get-together or special occasion – and you want to do it in the comfort of your own home. Don’t be intimidated by doing brunch. You don’t need to fill 111 feet of buffet like we do to make it special. Here are some tips for a memorable brunch experience right in your own dining room:

#1 – Choose items that “hold” really well…

What do I mean by “hold?” They taste just as great in the second hour as they did in the first. Instead of making scrambled eggs, try an egg bake. It’s a warm, creamy, cheesy breakfast casserole chock full of some of your breakfast favorites – sausage, bacon, ham, scrapple, eggs, and cheese – that you can cut like lasagna and serve in squares or wedges. Plus, the leftovers the next day are even better than the original!

#2 – Choose an entrée that’s in line with your special occasion…

Don’t be afraid to get a little adventurous with your entrees when you do brunch. Picking items like crab cakes, lobster, lamb, or duck will raise the bar for your guests and make this gathering of family and friends even more memorable. Sure, you can complete your brunch with something a bit more pedestrian like chicken or salmon, but watch everyone’s reaction when you serve something a little more extraordinary beside it!

#3 – Don’t forget something with a “kick…”

If you choose to have an alcoholic beverage every once in a while, (all in moderation, right?) then brunch is the perfect time to serve it. Mimosas, Champagne, and Bloody Mary’s are all a great fit. Be sure to have a nice selection of spices, hot sauces, peppers, olives, celery, horseradish, Worcestershire Sauce, salt and pepper so each guest can “make their Mary” just how they like it. Of course, you can always do a great seasonal fruit punch or warm apple cider with cinnamon sticks and cloves for those who don’t prefer alcoholic beverages.

#4 – Don’t forget your décor…

Sure, it’s the meal that’s the star of the show. But decorating your table with some fall leaves, pumpkins, and gourds and finding some great linens that burst with fall colors can make your great meal even better. Your guests will be amazed at how easy you made it look!

So you’re covered! A great Sunday Brunch away from home? Deerfield hosts Delaware’s Best Brunch every Sunday until May. Prefer a home field advantage? Now you’ve got some ideas to get you started. Curious for more? Just email me at ChefPaul@DeerfieldGolfClub.com and I will try to help make your next brunch a great brunch.

Chef Paul O’Toole CEC/AAC

Executive Chef – Deerfield Golf & Tennis Club

chefpaul@deerfieldgolfclub.com

302-368-6640

Testimonials:

I wanted extend my thanks to your staff for going over the top, and pleasing everyone. All of our guests stated how delicious the food was. The next time we have an occasion to plan, we will think only of how well we were treated at Deerfield. Thank you again for making our day special!

- Carl Faller

Thank you for making our daughter’s wedding day so spectacular. We could not have chosen a more elegant venue. The day truly could not have been more perfect. We will continue to sing your praises.

- Mike and Terry Early

We really had a blast (at our wedding) and thought that everything came out very well. We were quite happy with Deerfield and will certainly recommend it and you to anyone seeking advice about where to have an event. I can’t tell you how many compliments we heard from our guests regarding the food and drinks, the beauty of the location, the room, and the facilities. Everyone was very pleased, and that made us very, very happy. We definitely feel like we made the absolute best choice in choosing Deerfield.

- Tanisha and Aaron Goldstein