Southwest Minnesota State University, University Gala 2009

Zucchini Pirogues New Potatoes Stuffed with Crabmeat

Southwest Minnesota State University

University Gala

Friday, October 9, 2009

Our Menu for the night was:

Crawfish Nets

Smoked Alligator Sausage with Grilled Onions and Peppers

New Potatoes Stuffed with Tasso, Crawfish and Cheese

Zucchini Pirogues

Smoked Boudin

Mardi Gras Salad with Muffaletta Olive Salad

Turkey and Andouille Sausage Gumbo

Blackened Filet Mignon with Remoulade Sauce

Pan Fried Soft Shelled Crawfish

C-Asian Marinated Asparagus Bundles

Strawberries Romanoff with Mint Syrup and Chocolate Shavings

Pat O'Briens Hurricanes, Cafe' Brulee

Mr. Michael Cheng, (Director/Associate Professor of Culinology & Hospitality Management) was in charge of the Hors d'oeuvres Kitchen. To call it that is a disservice to all kitchens!! I don't know how he got all of the food out of that tiny space, But he and the kids did!!

Before the event started Michael had the staff take a group shot. Now is that fantastic!! He had specially ordered Mustang colored aprons! And had the staff dress up with Mardi Gras beads and masks!! again REAL New Orleans!

The bar was stocked with the usual spirits, BUT, they also served real Pat O'Brien's Hurricanes with a Mustang imprinted Hurricane glass! Again great attention to detail. WOW.

The students were each educated on what they were serving, again many of them helped prepare the HDO's!

Kelsey Woodworth (right) serves some of my New Potatoes stuffed with Tasso, Crawfish and/or Cheese, doesn't she look happy!

Kalley Besler (left) serves some of my Crawfish Nets! She is all smiles!! HEY, notice the backdrop!

Check out, Lissa and Indira passing our veterinarian Zucchini Pirogues and Smoked Alligator Sausage!

For Michael Cheng's complete photos, check out his Facebook University Gala photo album!

Executive Chef Dennis Nord of Aramark coordinated the plating and serving of the main meal. Once the student wait staff was finished serving the HDOs, they reported to the back of the R/A Facility to help serve the 4 course main meal. They served the salad, gumbo, entree and dessert, to over 300 people all within 45 minutes! WOW! It was dark back there, I mean NO LIGHTS, NONE! So sorry, no pics.

When everyone had finished eating there was a public auction of various donated items. One of them was my Jambalaya Rig that we were planning on using for the Tailgate party on Saturday. The rig went for $900, wow!! That is a great donation for the University! HEY, but I still get to use it tomorrow!

Now, it is time to party, at least for me!!

Cecelia invited me up to the stage, bad idea!! I am a ham!!

They gave me a mike, another bad idea. But really, I thanked David and Cecelia for the opportunity to cook for the University and invited everyone out to the Mustang Tailgate Festival on Saturday. I also teased them that we were pulling for that great football team tomorrow......... LSU! (They were going to play #1 Florida on Saturday, too bad, LSU lost in a tight game 13 to 3).

Well, tomorrow is another day, and I was beat, so I snuck out and got some needed rest! I went outside and it was SNOWING!!! My car was covered, I had to drive to the hotel in a snow storm!

Ya can't have Mardi Gras or a Homecoming without a Parade!

Thanks to Jim Tate and Michael Cheng of SMSU for taking and supplying many of the above pics!!

Check out many other pics on Michael Cheng's Facebook Photo Album

to Home Cookin' Page or Return to SMSU Photo Album

Return to Off-Premise & Picnic Photo Album