In news from earlier today, Jeff King reached Galena at 04:37 to earn the Millennium Alaskan Hotel First Musher to the Yukon Award. So you’re wondering what about Tanana, isn’t that village on the Yukon and how about Ruby? Truth is, both are on the Yukon River but the Millennium chose to make the award further down the trial.
The Millennium Alaskan Hotel First Musher to the Yukon Award will be treated to a five-course meal with Alaskan Halibut and Coconut Cream Soup and Crusty Parmesan Crostini’s followed by Southeast Alaskan Jumbo Spot Shrimp wrapped in prosciutto ham; pan seared and drizzled with basil pesto cream. The third course consists of Cajun Kodiak Scallops and Caesar Salad with Salmon Caviar with Cajun seasoned colossal Kodiak scallops that lay atop romaine lettuce and tossed in sundried tomato Caesar dressing, parmesan cheese and topped with salmon caviar. The entrée is Bering Sea Red King Crab-stuffed Tenderloin. The filet mignon is stuffed with Bering Sea king crab and pan seared in red cabernet sauce with porcini mushroom risotto cake and sautéed asparagus. For dessert, Bananas Foster Flambé will be served. Wine and champagne pairings accompany each course.
King’s “After Dinner Mint” of $3,500 in $1.00 bills will be presented on an Alaskan Gold Pan accompanied by a bottle of Dom Perignon was presented by Patrick Cashman, Millennium Alaskan Hotel Food and Beverage Director. The meal will be prepared by Executive Chef, Bobby Sidro.
Wow that’s quite the menu compared to normal musher cuisine. Mushers most often cook meals ahead of time, seal them up and freeze them. When they get to a checkpoint, they thaw their dinner while heating water for the dog’s hot meal. Some musher’s really lack imagination and seal up burgers and cookies and pack along other prepared foods like granola bars and candy bars. Other mushers pack shrimp sautéed in butter and other delicious cuisine.
What ever King has been eating along the trail, it’ll be eclipsed a thousand fold by the Millennium’s 5 course meal. King is sharing the extravagant dinner with the son of Serum Runner, Edgar Nollner. The elder Nollner carried the serum from Whisky Creek to Galena, a distance of 24 miles. The twenty one year old Nollner mushed a team of 7 malemutes with Dixie an eight year old leader. His son will have many stories to share that he’s heard from his father.
