CHEF’S CORNER CREEK EXECUTIVE CHEF Christian Lofland

Bay

This month, Bay Creek Executive Chef Christian Lofland gives us an update on what’s cooking at the Coach House, upcoming events, and delightful spring flavors on the Eastern Shore.

The duties and expertise of an executive chef in a community and private club environment like Bay Creek extend far beyond preparing delicious food. Chef Christian and his team work on large events and occasions that take place at Bay Creek. They envision and coordinate, and they prepare great food that elevates the guest event experience with its presentation and flavor. “We have already booked multiple weddings, family reunions and rehearsal dinners for this year,” Christian says. “And we have a lot of events coming up, too. The golf season is starting up with several tournaments, and we’ll be providing food for that as well.”

Bay Creek’s golf courses continue to grow in popularity for events as last year’s tournament participants enjoyed Christian’s brand of catering and hospitality. Christian enjoys exceeding expectations and leaving guests with great memories. “People are accustomed to a certain kind of food experience at a golf tournament. We wanted to offer more than the typical boxed meal people usually get. We did a lot of buffet spreads for them and really changed it up.” The substantial and unique buffet spreads were enthusiastically received and offered a sophisticated accompaniment to Bay Creek’s great golf experience.

At Bay Creek’s restaurant, The Coach House, spring is ushering in a new menu. “The new menu will be available the first week in April and it will offer a lot of great flavors,” Christian explains. “I’m excited about some of the vegetables that will be coming on here in the spring and summer, especially tomatoes and corn.” Christian will be doing a signature marinated tomato salad that has been very popular throughout his career. “We make a marinade and boil it, pour it over the tomatoes, and let them macerate in that. The marinade is made up of champagne vinegar, vanilla, honey, salt, basil, and thyme.”

“We have soft shell crabs coming up, too, usually starting around the second week in May,” says Christian. “By July, they’re back to leather backs again. It’s a short window but I love soft shell crabs.” Christian enjoys preparing them as a sandwich or sautéing two soft shell crabs with a brandy butter sauce.

Right now, at the Coach House, Christian is doing a special of champagne and oysters. “We’ll be offering champagne and oysters on certain nights from 5-7pm. It’s a great date-night kind of thing. We are here in the oyster capital of the USA, after all,” he laughs. Christian will also be continuing prime rib night and other Coach House favorites.

Chef Christian is known for striking the perfect balance of flavors in his cuisine—and in his menus, too. He offers guests tried-and-true familiar favorites and enjoys debuting new flavors and experiences, too. “On Valentine’s Day, we did a braised short rib on polenta, using beef from New Zealand wild cows. It was an interesting taste. We smoked them for about two hours and sous vide for 60 hours. It’s almost like butter,” Christian says of the incredibly tender and flavorful beef. Christian’s innovative creations and appreciation for the adventurous means every visit to the Coach House can be a unique experience.

In the near future, look for exciting new desserts at the Coach House, as Chef Christian showcases creations from a favorite Cape Charles bakery. “We feel strongly about supporting local business within Bay Creek, and this bakery’s desserts have received great accolades.” Christian is also in the process of hiring and training new staff to accommodate more guests in the busier summer season. A temporary banquet kitchen is being built at the Coach House, too. “This will allow for more space to prepare food for large events, and just as importantly, it will keep our Coach House service at its very best for each guest.”

The coming weeks promise a myriad of new flavors and experiences at Bay Creek. Chef Christian and his team of professionals stand ready to surprise and delight each guest, whether at a special event, golf tournament or at a meal at the Coach House Tavern with its sweeping views of the golf practice range and welcoming clubhouse tavern vibe.