Chef Ric Orlando and his team have set a new standard for horse show dining and it’s yours for the tasting at Thermal. Now that the all-new HITS Oasis Club is open daily for breakfast and lunch at the HITS Desert Horse Park, members can savor the many fabulous flavors throughout the day.
“We’re from the Napa Valley and are very spoiled when it comes to fine dining,” commented Grand Prix rider Macella O’Neill. “Ric Orlando’s kitchen at the Oasis Club lives up to our highest expectations.” Renowned hunter judge Bucky Reynolds confirmed the acclaim, saying, “This is truly Five-Star dining at a horse show!”
Ric is the chef-owner of New World Home Cooking Co., a favorite dining spot for horse show competitors in Saugerties, New York. His impressive culinary resume spans nearly three decades with experience gathered at groundbreaking restaurants such as the Elm City Diner in New Haven, (the original) Harvest in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the Wild Goose in Boston, Sugar Reef in Manhattan, Yates Street and Justin’s in Albany, New York. Some of his many honors include the Zagat Award of Distinction, Culinary Institute of America Best of the Hudson Bon Vivant Award and American Culinary Federation 1993 Culinarian of the Year. His New World Home Cooking Co. received the 2006 Santé Restaurant Award for Innovative Cuisine.
Chef Ric’s eclectic background includes stints as a punk rocker, a fashion model, a poet, and a music video producer. Now, when his demanding chef schedule allows, he is working on a book with writing partner Jessica Bard, Ric Orlando’s Hudson Valley Kitchen.
“I relish this opportunity to present my unique style of cooking to a new west coast audience,” said Orlando. “We are delighted to bring a menu with South-of-the-Border and Asian influences to the HITS Desert Circuit. We’re adding our own southern California twist using my trademark Global Heritage and sustainable Clean Food.” Some of the delectable choices on the menu: Roasted Garlic Caesar Salad with Grilled Sugar Cane Shrimp, Jerked Pork Loin with Mango-Coconut Salsa, Chicken and Andouille Jambalaya, Curried Chicken and Mango Salad Wrap, Grilled Salmon with Chimmichurri and Arugula Sauce.
Desserts to die for include: Phyllo Cups with Lemon Curd and Fresh Berries, Chocolate-Glazed Macaroons, Chocolate Truffle Cups.
Enjoy breakfast Ric Orlando style with fabulous scones and Danish pastries complementing cooked-to-order omelets or try French toast with real maple syrup and twice-smoked grilled bacon and ham. Savor the shrimp grits!
Throughout the eight-week HITS Desert Circuit Chef Orlando plans to custom develop menu innovations. Ric will be out front meeting folks and inquiring about individual food preferences.
The HITS Desert Circuit VIP Oasis Club is available by membership only with both weekly and circuit price packages. Ask any show secretary for more information or call the horse show office at (760)399-9200.