Shawn McClain to kick off Kendall College fund-raising series

James Beard Award-winning chef and Kendall College alum Shawn McClain will launch the culinary school’s series of fund-raising dinners. Called the Blank Canvas series by the Kendall College Trust, at each dinner a prominent chef and alum of Kendall will headline the meal and create the menu. Each dinner is limited to 75 guests.

McClain is the chef/owner of the much-acclaimed Green Zebra. His meal will be held March 10 and the menu will include:

First Course: Absinthe Cured Ora King Salmon smoked spring apples, licorice panna cotta, apple cider pearls

Second Course:Grilled Spanish Octopus cauliflower, charred shishito peppers, pumpkin seed-brown butter vinaigrette

Third Course: Handmade Cavatelli
 sheep’s milk ricotta, pistachio, black truffle

Fourth Course:Slow-Cooked Duck Breast
 creamy polenta, black garlic, wild rice, foraged mushroom, foie gras

Fifth Course:Dark Rum Gateaux
walnut croquant, roasted pineapple ice cream, warm-spiced caramel

The cost is $150. It begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Kendall College Dining Room

900 N. North Branch. (Free parking lot across the street!) Other chefs participating are Dan Fox, chef/owner of Heritage Tavern in Madison, Wis., on May 5, and Darien Nesbit, executive chef of Bourbon House in New Orleans is up on Aug. 4.

All proceeds will go toward scholarships for Kendall students. For reservations, go here.