McDonald's has been working hard to change its image with healthier menu items and new flavor profiles.
According to the Los Angeles Times, the fast-food chain hosted a celebrity chief dinner Thursday night in New York City to help change the public's view of Mickey D's. The night featured upscale dishes; a far cry from its usual burgers and Dollar Menu deals.
"I just want people to think differently about our ingredients," McDonald's Executive Chef Dan Coudreaut told the New York Daily News. "People see ingredients like a perfectly round egg on an Egg McMuffin and they think it's not a real egg, but they're fresh cracked eggs every day. I can't change what people believe. Just get to know us a little bit better."
Each upscale dish required chefs to use McDonald's ingredients and menu items.
James Tahhan, Telemundo cooking star, made tortilla Espanola with garlic and saffron aioli using the McDonald's hash browns, eggs and onions.
Aaron McCargo Jr., winner of the Next Food Network Star competition and host of "Big Daddy's House", presented barbecue chicken. His treat included McDonald's crispy chicken, hash browns, Chipotle BBQ sauce, cheddar jack cheese and espresso.
Dale Talde, from "Top Chef" cooked a version of Kung Pao chicken using Chicken McNuggets.
McDonald's corporate chef and dietitian Jessica Foust served up a slow-cooked beef with blueberry pomegranate sauce and French fry gnocchi. The largest fast-food chain has recently announced plans to give customers the choice between salad fruit, or vegetables, as a substitute for fries on its value meals for no extra cost.
McDonald's also vowed to promote and market only water, milk and juices as the beverages in their popular Happy Meals for children.
