The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1894-08-30
CALIFORNIA eoURMETs.
A Famous Banquet For which Each Cues
Hal 20 Prcnorn n ntsh.

A Famous Banquet For Which Esch Guest
Had 20 Prepare Dish.
The dean Of California eourmets, Ed.
win c. Palmer, whose clear, piercing eye,
rudy countcnance and grizzled mustache
are agrceably familiar to all those good
fellows Of ample rotundity who affect the
delicate arts of the cuisine, was not al
ways devotee at the shrine of Epicurus
There Is one feast Of the disciples OF
Epicurus upon which Mr. Palmer dwells
with especial pleasure. 1t occurred several
years ago, and many of the valiant trench
trmen who gathered around the mahogany
on that occasion have passed TO reward
in which pate de foie gras, truffies and
terrapin are not emblazoned on the menu.
Although this gastronomic effort was
one of the most remarkable that ever oc-
CURED here or elsewhere, it has never be-
fore passed into the history of the state, re-
naming but us a pleasing memory to &C
casionally tantalize the palates and stimu-
late the stomachs of those now living with
recollections of the many remarkable
dishes that graced the board.
To this rich and rare repast just IL
guests were invited. 1t took place at the
city residence of G. NJ. Jossclyn, the well
known ship chandler, the members of his
family being absent at his country house.
Among the good feeders invited to the
feast was that eminent lawyer, Alexander
Campbell Judge Dwinelle was another
Of the guests whose abundant tissue gave
ample evidence of his thorough enjoyment
of the pleasures of the table. He, too, has
crossed the Styx, but will long live In
memory as an able jurist and a prince of
gastronomy.
Joe Tilden, the stockbrokcr and popu-
lar club man, who met his death in the
big hotel fire at Honolulu, played his
usual jovial part and added much to the
jollity of the occasion.
OF course Ned Palmer the dean of
the gourmets, was there, as were also
Major Bender and enough more of the Bo-
hcmian club men to make up the requisite
dozen. No shadow of misfortune was cast
by an offending thirteenth guest There
were Just IL good capon lined fellows, and
mirth and laughter went the round of the
table
The main condition of this banquet OF
fattening reason was that each guest
should prepare and serve dish. The FEAST
to Apollo. although the mythical god was
waited upon by winged cherubs, was not
to be compared with this feat of stcwing,
broiling baking and flavoring All the
guests here were cooks, and all the cooks
were arraycd in white cap, jacket and
apron of that artist and philosopher of the
kitchen The time occupied in the prepa-
ration of this tribute to Epicurus was 10
days.
The first course served was soup by
Joe Tilden The time devoted to the
compromising of the decoction ran over
three days. Next came trout, stuffed
and cooked like a bird, with an aromatic
sauce which was contributed by another
guest Two kinds of salad lent cooling
solace in turn to the gastronomists
The terrapin stew was Of course prepared
by Dean Palmer This took just II
days. Each guest cook, in full kitchen re
gala, served the treasure of his epicurea
art. One stuffed the roast, another trufllet
the chickens, while still another prepared
the frogs legs Ia champgnon.
There was but one course that was no
the product of the skill in the cuisine o
a guest To Major Bender had been as
signed the plum pudding When servc'
with "a rich white sauce in boat by it
side, it was found to be IA rare wedding
cake saturated with about quart of fin
French brandy. 1t was also discovere
that the pudding was a French confection
imported by a leading grocer and pun
chased by the major for the occasion. Blu
this bit of gastronomic treason was ovei
looked as the many good things previous
ly offered up to Epicurus had left the feast
makers IN merry and mellow mood, an
it was found that Major Bender had mad
the sauce which covered his offense.
1t is said that the discussion of this r,
markable effort of the cuisine occupied
hours, although toward the last the tim
keeper nodded in his chair and may hay
overlooked few seconds, so that tn
time may not be regarded as official.-Sa
Francisco Chronicle.