Dave & Deb celebrating Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras came a little early to Rochester this year. While people will be lining the streets in New Orleans today (perhaps wearing more black and gold than purple and green this year), the Rochester Chapter of the New York State Restaurant Association hosted their first Mardi Gras Masquerade Madness last Tuesday. The evening was a benefit for Foodlink and the NYSRA’s Educational Foundation. Attendees came to the Rochester Riverside Convention Center for a night of great food, gambling and jazz. They filled the casino tables, many sporting devious masks which may have helped their poker games. Everyone seemed to have a bit of New Orleans fever.
Since I’m not a big gambling fan, my attention was on the food. While I am biased due to Freshwise’s relationship with Foodlink, I loved their Creole crab cakes with Cajun remoulade and maw maw slaw. I think both Maryland and Louisiana would be impressed. The jalapeño fudge from Tasteful Connections was another hit. At first you are deceived into thinking it is ordinary chocolate fudge, but then a fiery aftertaste kicks in. C’est si bon.
Hopeful Winners
The party also featured what I consider the Mecca of a silent auction prizes. I have seen some tempting silent auction prizes in my day, but never a prize that has captured my interest like this one. The captivating prize was to name a Rohrbachs beer. Granted, this beer would be produced in a very small quantity and would never reach the fame of their Scotch Ale, but oh the wonders of sipping a pint of Oberst Ale! Someday this dream will come true.
Thank you to the Rochester Chapter of the New York State Restaurant Association, all the participating restaurants and sponsors for a great night! Laissez les bons temps rouler! (Let the good times roll!)
Maria Oberst