The advocate., 1897-02-03

Fruit. Assorted cakes. Cafe.
This menu was the choice OF the committee
Of the tWenty-one that. were submitted by
competing caterers, a half dozen OF whom
were from New York, three from Baltimore,
and the rest were from this city, Cincinnati
and Chicago. In awarding the contract to
Mr. Essner, who is the proprietor Of hotel in
Philadelphia and another at Atlantic City,
the inaugural committee expressed decided
opinion that the attendance at the inaugural
ball would be greater this year than at any
similar ball In the past, and the committee
instructed Mr.. Essner to prepare to serve at
least 10000 persons.
Fully 5000 were served at the last ball, but
the fact that 1t was given on Saturday night,
closing at 70 o'clock, kept down the attendance
considerably.
MARKET IN TWO CITIES CORNERED.
In order to be ready for any contingency,
Mr.. Essner has contracted with dealers in
Baltimore and in this city for his terrapin.
He has practically cornered the market in the
two cities for diamond-backs for the in.
angural week. At least 300 gallons Of dressed
terrapin will be required for the banquet.
There will be 800 gallons Of cOnsomme, 5000
chicken cutl cts, 1000 sweetbread patties, 800
gallons OF chicken salad, 200 gallons Of lob
ster. and $50 gallons Of crab salad, 400 tongues,
$50 smithAeld hams, 200 pAtes de fole gras, 1870
boned turkeys, 10000 assorted sandwiches,
1900 quarts Of Ice cream, $50 pounds Of as.
sorted cakes, and 200 gallons Of coffee.
Mr.. Essner says he has no apprehension
about anything on the menu excepting the
terrapin, He has arranged with Baltimore
firm to supply him with $4,000 oysters, to be
opened within q short time before the ball.
Everything that can be prepared In advance
will be cooked in the Kitchens Of the Hotel
Bourse, PhilSdelphiA. special train over
the Pennsylvania railroad the day before the
ball viii bring the supplies from Philadelphia
to this city, and the greater portion Of the
help will arrive on the same train, for Ii is the
intention OF Mr.. Essner, so far as possible, to
utilize his own employees from the Bourse and
the Hotel Randolph, Atlantic City.
AN ARMY OF COOKS AND WATERS.
With his regular men and those on his
emergency list for big banquets and fifty Of
the best walters from the Hotel Waldorf, OF
New York, which Mr.. Boldt has plsCed at his
disposal, Mr.. Essner Gays he will have an
ample force at his command.
There win be in the kitchen corps OF thirty
trained cooks under the direction Of the chef
Of the Bourse There are no provisions for
cooking In the Pension building, and Mr.. Ess-
ner has therefore contracted for the erection
Of q temporary kitchen, ut cost Of $9,5OO, ad-
Joining the section Of the building In which
the supper will be served and which will be
equipped with o series Of French ranges and
the complete paraphsrnalla OF q modern hotel
kitchen.
Under an agreement with the inaugural
committee this structure must be removed
within forby-eight hours after the ball Mr.
Essner has rented whole house near the
Pension building which he win use ss his Of
fee and headquarters.
Fully $1,000 pieces OF China, $4,000 pieces oi
silver, and 10000 napkins will be needed foI
the service Of the supper.
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