The daily gazette., 1880-02-05
From the N. Y. Star,
artists In Game and Salad

ELABoRATE MENU or THE FRENCH
cooKs-HANDsoME ORNAMENTAL
PIECES THAT WERE GENERALLY AID
MIRED'AND DEvoURED.
A feast, such as only the artistic
French cuisinler can prepare, was served
lost evening in Nilsson Hall by the
"Societe Culinaire Philenthropique." I"
For thirteen years past the chief cooks
Of the leading hotels and restaurants
have displayed their finest culinary skill
at an annual ball and supper and We'd
with each other in the presentation of
ornamental pieces fashioned In the most
elaborate style. Tuesday night was no
exception to the rule, and II the opinions
Uf epicureans Of long experience are at
all authoritative, the cooks excelled their
previous efforts. Nilsson Hall was dec
GRATED on every side by .he French and
American colors. From the centre of
the ceiling long streamers were flung out
to the corners of the room. On plat
forms, rising above each other, rested the
brave display that def hands had
wrought for the evenings entertainment.
On entering the hall the view was i'm
posing to the average gormand. The
most conspicuous object, although hard
ly an edible one, was the figure Of Vatel,
the famous French cock, who is rumored
to have fatally stabbed himself because
he had made failure in preparing for
dinner a certain fish in the cooking Of
which he especially prided himself. The
statue was Of lard, but the look Of de-
spair on his mobile countenance was ex-
ceediugly touching, and the knife pierre
ing his oily breast was as sensational In
its way as Bandmann numbering Shy
lock.
A curious bit Of handiwork was
lighthouse from Delmonico's whose
summit was largely designed in sugar,
out the base rested on solid foundation
OF fowl and prepared meats. The Grand
Union Hotel sent saimen Of generous
proportions from whose spiced body wav-
ed an American flag, Its setting was
numerous salads dressed in many styles
alternating with shrimps and other small
fish. III
A comical piece was that presented BY
the Gilsey House, in the shape Of impos-
sible jockeys on remarkable steeds, both
riders and horses being made Of parsnps
and turnips. Above them was q pagoda
shaped roof of almonds, and In front was
gelatin monument that resembled
Scotch granite.
The Astor House was represented BY
an arrangement in vegetables very ar
tlstically formed. Ii was a cylindric-
shaped column composed of layers of
peas, string beans and cucumbers resting
on curious mosaic Of cheese. Around
the column deer hunt was in progress
and mounted horsemen were in hot pur-
SUIT ofthe elusive game over a sparkling
stream. These were fashioned Of bone
turkey, vegetables and gelatin.
From the Westminster came an orna-
mental piece whose top was made of diff
ferent kinds OF jelly inclosing game. The
centre was surrouuded by layers of oys-
ters on the half shell covered with the
sauce celebrated in the "Bab" ballad,
A score of boiled Holsters hung below.
An ornamental piece wrought In fowl
represented the Metropolitan. A plump
deer IN miniature was The summit, and
inside vegetable composition were sew
eral quails just below, surrounded BY
pdtes de fOtes grds. Groves of trees and
little bushes were cunningly made out
OF lard. On either side was consomme
ornament. Charles L. Kaufman Of the
Merchants Club was "chief cookn for
the evening.
A tasteful contribution was that of the
Merchants Club. "Alsatia Before the
War" was pretty maiden with glee-
ful expression; "Alsatia After the War"
was a maiden mourning. The ornament
al piece above battles description, being
at once c)mical aud heterogeneous in It's
elements. Its salient feature was an o.
gan grinder charming monkey down
from q tree.
From the Park Avenue Hotel came a
fine example Of what may be done with
ooned turkey and capons.
A train of Elevated railroad cars; Col
umbus on shipbo ird, nearing the shores
of America; gigantic loaf Of bread fr I'M
the Vienna Bakery, and ornamental
pieces in salads, trufiles, pates de foies
gras, too numerous to be described, were
all admired by the large tbrong in at
tendance. An enterprising photograph
er had his camera on the scene, and said
the picture was worth $500.