Veteran musher Nicolas Petit (bib #17), of Big Lake, Alaska is the first musher to arrive at the Ruby checkpoint on the Yukon River at 10:08 p.m. with 15 dogs in harness. In doing so, Petit claims the First Musher to the Yukon Award. The award consists of a gourmet dinner prepared by Top Chefs from Locally Grown Restaurants, which owns the popular Anchorage eateries Spenard Roadhouse, Snow City Cafe, Crush Wine Bistro and South Restaurant and Coffeehouse. The full press release and photos will be available tomorrow, so keep your eyes peeled. Congratulations, Nic!
The menu consisted of a seared scallop appetizer with a butternut squash puréeand crispy prosciutto, arugula salad with a champagne vinaigrette, Italian sausage soup, a ribeye steak topped with gorgonzola truffle butter, paired with smashed rosemary and parmesan fingerling potatoes and a strawberry crème brûlée with white chocolate and fresh berries for dessert. Petit thoroughly enjoyed his meal, which he shared with Ruby resident and long-time Iditarod volunteer, Nate Titus.
