The Champions Dinner
A menu unlike any other.
The dining room on the second floor of the Augusta National clubhouse will forever be closed to us mere mortals. But the gates to Magnolia Lane can’t deny a delicious daydream: your very own Champions Dinner menu. It is an accessible, albeit whimsical, exercise in taste, texture, and theme. Whether you decide to serve shellfish or not, the world is your oyster.
How does one construct a meal that will be critiqued by millions? What’s your inspiration? Must you play within the bounds of safe and easily recognizable ingredients and flavors? Will the dishes flow from tee to green?
These are, surely, the nine steps to a winning strategy.
1. Your opening speech may lead with a “Hello, friends,” but it’s the amuse-bouche that will really do the talking.
2. Unlike the Eisenhower tree, stay true to your roots. What were your favorite things that mom or grandma made you growing up? Transport yourself to those memories, those tastes.
3. Like Verne Lundquist narrating the flight of golf balls from the tower on 16, allow every ingredient to tell a story. What flavors “in your life” do you long for others to experience?
4. Fly your flag like it’s the only one atop the iconic scoreboard. What better opportunity is there to share the very best of your region, or country, than in this room, and for this guestlist?
5. Trust your approach! Winning the Masters is the ultimate test in staying the course, and this spread is no different. After all, preparedness reduces the risk of hazards, choking or otherwise.
6. Do like Hideki’s caddie, and offer a nod to the grounds. At least one course deserves to keep Georgia on its mind.
7. Make like a twenty dollar bill at an Augusta concession stand, where there is always room for a little dessert! The whole night will be sweet, so finish with something to match.
8. As for the wine and whisky on offer, follow the lead of the Patrons found at ANGC, and not of the Patrón found in bottles. Keep it classy with a crisp white, a bold red, and a smoky single malt worthy of a toast to tradition.
9. And remember: you don’t need to say grace, but an exhaled “amen” is a friendly and familiar prerequisite to any green jacket ceremony.
Golf & People Champions Dinner
Amuse-Bouche
Appetizers
NL sea scallops, pan-seared
NL mussels with beurre blanc
Mains
Dry-aged Alberta AAA Ribeye
Sautéed brussels & grilled Portobello mushrooms
Montréal Poutine
Foie gras, Portuguese chicken & choriço, Quebec cheese curds
Dessert
Georgia Pecan Pie
Newfoundland Blueberry Crumble
Tire à l’Érable (Maple Taffy) over Snow
Wine & Whisky
Domaine Michel Bouzereau et Fils Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Champs Gains - 2020
E. Guigal - Côte Rotie La Landonne - 2018
Oban 18 year
The cod tongue is actually a muscle in the cod fish neck, but they’re commonly referred to as the former.
Scrunchions are small pieces of pork rind or fatback fried until rendered and crispy.
The things I'd do for Quebec cheese curds.
Okay I'm hungry now!