Chefs & Friends: From The Grill featuring Matt Shlemon

Chefs & Friends returns to Omni La Costa in 2026 with fresh inspiration. The evolved series brings together Chef de Cuisine Cameron Dixon and Executive Chef Emily Brubaker—fresh off her championship win on NBC’s Yes, Chef!—for an exclusive culinary collaboration.

Each dinner in the series showcases a shared vision: refined, seasonal cuisine inspired by the chefs’ distinct styles and the stories behind the ingredients. With surprise guests, artful plating, and an ever-evolving menu, Chefs & Friends is a celebration of culinary creativity, camaraderie, and unforgettable flavor.

Chef Matt’s Menu:

Amuse

Baba Ganoush

white beans, eggplant, olive tapenade, puffed rice, pita

2nd

Chargrilled Octopus

lamb sausage, yukon potato, pickled sweet pepper, roasted garlic lemon glaze, smoked yogurt

3rd

Scallion Fry Bread

whipped ricotta, spiced pomegranate molasses, pomegranate arils, mint

4th

3-Meat Kabobs

lamb, pork, veal, herb jus, crispy saffron basmati, salted lime cream

5th

7-Spiced Smoked Brisket

tallow-whipped turnip puree, torchi style pickled cauliflower, wilted greens

6th

Kunafa

sweet cheese, crispy phyllo, rosewater syrup, toasted pistachio