The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1896-04-08
CALIFORNIA GoURMETs.
A Famous banquet FOR which Each Guest
Had TO Prepare q Dish.


Tho dean Of California gourmets, Ed.
win G. Palmer, whose clear, piercing eye,
rudy countcnancc and grizzlcd mustache
arc agrceably familiar to all those good
fellows of ample rotundity who affect the
delicate arts of tho cuisine, was not al
ways devotee at the shrine of Epicurus.
There Is one feast of the disciples Of
Epicurus upon which Mr. Palmer dwclls
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 u reward
in which patio dc foic gras, truffles 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, 1t has never be
fore passed into the history of the state, re
naming but ms pleasing memory to oc
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 q. NJ. Jossnlyn, the well
known ship chandler, the members of his
family being absent ut his country house.
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 prince of
gastronomy.
Joe Tildcn, the stockbroker and popu-
lar club man, who met his death in the
pig 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-
hemian club men to make up the requisite
dozen. No shadow of misfo tune was cast
by an offending thirteenth guest. There
were just l2 good capon lined fellows, and
mirth and laughter went the round of the
table.
The main condition of this banquet of
fattcning reason was that each guest
should prepare and serve n dish. The feast
I to Apollo, although the mythical god was
waited upon by winged chcrubs, was not
to be compared with this feat Of stewing,
broiling, baking and flavoring, All the
guests here were cooks, and all the cooks
were arrayed 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 1C
days.
| The first course served was soup by
Joe Tilden. Tho time devoted to the
compromising of the decoction ran ovcl
three days. Next came a trout, stuffed
and cooked like 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 epicurear
art. One stuffed the roast, another trut1let
the chickens, while still another prepared
the frogs legs IA la champignon.
There was but one course that was mo-
the product of the skill in the cuisine o
guest. To Major Bender had been as
signed the plum pudding. When servet
with rich white sauce in boat by it
side, it was found to be "a rare wedding
cake saturated with about quart of fin
French brandy 1t was also discovered
that the pudding was Il French confection
imported by leading grocer and pur
chased by the major for the occasion. Blu
this bit of gastronomic treason was over
looked, as the many good things previous
ly offered up to Epicurus had left the feast
makers in IA merry and mellow mood, ant
it was found that Major Bender had mad
the sauce, which covered his offense.
1t is said thapthe discussion of this re
markable effort of the cuisine occupied /
| hours, although toward the last the time
| keeper nodded in his chair and may hav
overlooked few seconds, so that thi
time may not be regarded as oflicial.-Sal
Francisco Chronicle.