Eye on the Trail: What’s for Dinner in Ruby?

Posted by in Iditarod, Race Coverage, Terrie Hanke
Date: March 11, 2016 9:13 am

While I’m still in McGrath, and will be until all the mushers are through, that doesn’t keep me from thinking, speculating and looking further down the trail.  Of course I’ve picked my top ten finishers before the race began.  Today though, I’m not thinking about the champion, well maybe I am, but I’m thinking about the First to the Yukon Award sponsored by the Lakefront Anchorage.  The award is presented to the first musher to make the Yukon.  For the northern route, that’s Ruby.  For the southern route, that’s Anvik.  

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Jeff King, Anchorage Ceremonial Start 2016

It’s quite the production to prepare a gourmet multi-course meal in a checkpoint.  A chef is flown in with not only the necessary ingredients but the necessary equipment like pans, 2-burner stove, china and silverware.  Once the musher arrives, he or she picks the time and a guest.

What’s on the menu for Jeff King and his guest, Robert Honea, this year?  The meal will consist of five courses followed by an after dinner mint.  The Lakefront Anchorage executive chef Roberto Sidro will prepare the fit for a king meal, King.  Looking back at King’s Iditarod Career, this will be the seventh meal First to the Yukon Meal he’s enjoyed.

Lakefront Anchorage executive chef, Roberto Sidro will prepare Copper River smoked salmon bisque; Kodiak jumbo scallops in a saffron cream sauce; an arugula and spotted shrimp salad with a rosé balsamic vinaigrette;  USDA Choice New York strip steak topped with porcini mushrooms, paired with a king crab cake drizzled with a chipotle aioli, couscous, sautéed broccolini and baby carrots; all followed by a delicate raspberry sorbet.  Wine and champagne pairings accompany each course.

Executive Chef Sidro presented King’s “After Dinner Mint” of $3,500 in newly minted one dollar bills.  The mint was served to King on a commemorative Alaska gold pan.  The award will be re-presented to King at the Finisher’s banquet in Nome.

Here’s a thought for teachers, ask your students to create a menu for a five course meal fit for a King.  For upper grades, take it a step further and figure cost and quantities for two persons.

Mean time, back here in McGrath, Patrick Beall is on his way to Takotna, Larry Daugherty will soon follow and Mary Helwig will depart around noon.  Billy Snodgrass is resting and will probably depart early to mid-afternoon.  Ellen Halverson is on her way in from Nikolai.