Eat, Drink, & Be Merry {A|S|K}
Austin Secret Kitchen
Words by Jinky Romero Photos by Shelby Bella
From unique twists on classic dishes to creating charming new spots out of old locations, creativity is at the very heart of Austin’s food scene. This creativity thrives in all its forms with Austin Secret Kitchen (otherwise known as ASK), a secret dinner that combines the allure of mystery, a carefully curated handcrafted menu, and the community and hospitality for which this city is known.
ASK is the brainchild of husband and wife team, Markus and Summer Carter. Markus, whose passion for cooking started during his childhood in West Texas, takes pride in not only the taste but also the character of his dishes. He candidly talks about pea soup he served in teacups at ASK’s first dinner. It was inspired by a soup that he and Summer had in Seattle. “It came in a teacup,” he recalls. “I took a sip of it, and my mind was blown. It was like running through the fields of Aspen or something. The experience was so raw and unreal to me. I thought,” I need to do this, I need to make a soup that’s so good it will give people this feeling, too.” Markus’s dream has always been to share this, and many other stories, through his cooking.
Complementing the food with an unforgettable experience is the essence of every ASK dinner. It begins with an email with the date of the next dinner and a link to purchase tickets. Anyone can sign up to be included in their mailing list. This exclusive dinner caps at 12 people. Leading towards the dinner event, ASK teases with photos on their Instagram and eventually reveals the dinner theme and menu. Through trends, seasonality, and sustainability, the themes and menus of the dinners are decided by Markus and Summer. A day before the event, guests find out exactly where the dinner will take place. One of the exciting hooks of these dinners is that the venue and the theme change every time.
The evening itself is just as interesting, beginning with craft cocktails and conversation. Summer greets guests as they enter, talking a little about ASK, the venue, the décor. While munching on fresh and delicious hors d’oeuvres, diners are also free to watch Markus prepare the meal and ask questions about the food and his process. With no individual seatings at ASK, all guests are seated at a long table that allows free flowing conversations from everyone. Each dish is served along with the stories behind them, told by Markus himself. The Cajun-inspired five-course meal, on this particular night, took the guests through a narrative of old times and good times: each plate taking on a life of its own.
The standouts were Muffaletta Salad and Duck Fat Gumbo. Chopped with such precision that each bit captured the complementing flavors of every ingredient, the salad was dressed to perfection in a robust and sustainability-sourced olive oil. In addition, the Duck Fat Gumbo, served family style with rice and potato salad on the side, impressed with the richness of its broth and the fullness of its flavor.
With creativity and community bursting from its very concept right down to the food, the plating, and the décor, ASK is right at home in the eclectic and ever-dynamic food culture of this city. “ASK provides a community, a place where you can break bread and share a bottle of wine with strangers,” Markus says. “Everyone is at home here, whether you’re from Austin or not, and I think that’s the most Austin thing about it.”
Native Knowledge
While ASK provides starter cocktails and wine pairings, the event also encourages guests to BYOB for a more personal and enjoyable experience.
Contact:
info@austinsecretkitchen.com
austinsecretkitchen.com
@austinsecretkitchen
@Mcarterfood
@summernoelcarter
Published May 27, 2019
