Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1893-01-24
Alesanlria 6 a ssAte.
JEsDAY EVENING. JAN "a 1898.
MARYLAND Te1rapin Win.

Philadelphia terrapin and Philadel-
phia cooks, in competition with Mary
land terrapin and Baltimore cooks, at
Meadow Brook farm yesterday, were
v.ac,;;sh,d i'll the house of friends.
For years Philadelphians have stoutly
IL n,an!45:,co that the only good ter
rapin served in the country was pre-
pared after the Philadelphia recipe,
which calls for very thick, heavy
dressing made of flour, rich cream ana
gocdly portions Of Madeira. Phliadel-
phia club men have defended this dish
the world over, but the gentlemen OF
the MARYLAND Club have insisted that 1t
isn't terrapin. They ridicule the idea
of mixing cream or flour with terrapin.
The more enthusiastic supporters OF
MARYLAND terrapin even denounce
cooks who use tiny quantities of Ma
deira in the dish known as 'Terrapin,
MARYLAND 5 yle."
Mr.. James Potter, Marylander by
birth and occupation, but a Philadel-
phian by adoption, insists that a good
bird" (diamoud-back terrapiD), bit of
pepper, lump of butter ana well-reg-
ulated chaing dish are all that are
necessary to prepare terrapin fit for the
observation-disclosures or anybody else.
The IA gentlemen who sat in judgment
upon the two preparations OF terrapin
at Mr.. Thos. Is. Wanamaker's country
place, Sunday, voted TO sustain Mr.. Pot
ter's position. Like his foretathers and
all Baltimoreans, Mr.. Potter declares
against the use Of Madeira in terrapin,
but is charitable enough to admit that
it does not ruin the dish. ''rhose who
like may add it at the serving, says he,
''but it don't help the dish a bit. In
many dishes it proves an appetizer, but
when terrapin is the dish, nothing can
be added to it that improves the flavor,
and it is the flavor that all true lovers
of terrapin want"
This terrapin competition has been
under discussion for months past, and
as a result ofthe good-natured badinage
Mr.. Wanamaker rendered the use ofhls
house at Meadow Brook and agreed TO
entertain the party Of Marylanders, who
were to come with Arthur Padelford,
of the Maryland Club, who has more
than once declared the Philadelphia
article to be terrapin in name only.
The time agreed upon for the compe-
tition was yesterday, and at the last
moment Mr.. Padelford found it impos-
sible TO leave Baltimore. He named
James Potter, a near relative, as sub
stitute. Mr.. Potter journeyed to Mca-
dow Brook Farm with terrapin brought
from Baltimore, that cost not less than
$50 in the shells; chef from the
same city and John Peasants, Frank
Hambleton, Gordon Armistcad, Sher-
lock Swami, William Riggs and Albert
Garter, all members of the Maryland
Club, recognized epicures and judges OF
terrapin.
The Philadelphians who directed
local caterer of renown in the prepare
ton of the telrapin, Philadelphia-style,
were Thomas b. Wmamaker, Rod
man Wanamaker, William Struthers,
Richard Willing. Barclay Warburton,
Edward Roberts, Sd, and Walter Nc
Michael
: Dish after dish of terrapin Ia Mary
land and terrapin la Philadelphia
were served, and when each cpicure
had enjoyed them to the full, Il vote
was taken and Philadelphia lost, nine
of the fourteen gentlemen prelerrlnS
the Baltimore preparation.-Phitadet-
Dhin Rtc)rd.