Collage of photos from the dinner - in the kitchen, plated dishes, and diners

Taste of Native Cuisine Dinner & Reception

A wonderful time was had by all at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum’s Taste of Native Cuisine Dinner & Reception on November 13th, 2015.

Guests were treated to a beautiful reception in the Ironwood Gallery, enhanced by antique Native American baskets from a private collection. Hors D’oeuvres prepared by top Native American guest chefs and culinary students from the Navajo Technical Institute’s Culinary Program included deconstructed Rabbit Tamales; a spectacular Kachina Mosiac Sand Painting of American Caviars with Endive Feathers; and Spicy Houma Shrimp with Jicama Slaw and Avocado Crème.

The stunning five course dinner at the Ocotillo Café was prepared by Top Chefs Nephi Craig (White Mountain Apache-Diné/Founder of the Native American Culinary Association and Executive Chef at Sunrise Park Resort) Lois Ellen Frank, PhD. (Kiowa/James Beard award winning cookbook author), Loretta Barrett Oden (Potawatomi/Culinary Historian and Food Editor of Native Peoples Magazine), Walter Whitewater (Diné/Red Mesa Cuisine) and Sous Chefs Claudia Serrato, Terri Ami, Karlos Baca and Lorencita Billiman. The menu featured a spectacular Coriander Cured Elk Tenderloin with Hand-harvested Chokecherry Sauce, Sweet Potato Mash garnished with White Tepary Beans; and a delicious Nopal Cactus Salad with Roasted Bell Peppers, Orange Segments & a Fiery Jalapeño Vinaigrette.

Thank you to our guests for joining us and for their support of The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum’s conservation and education programs.

A special thanks to all the Chefs, Sous Chefs and Culinary students who put so much effort and passion into making this a wonderful event.

A gallery of photos by event photographer Chris Summitt of Summitt Photography is available to view at:

http://chrissummitt.com/gallery/view/nativecuisine
Password: desert

Collage of photos from the dinner - in the kitchen, plated dishes, and diners
All photos by Summitt Photography

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“During our first visit to the Desert Museum in 1994 we agreed it was the best full spectrum natural history experience we'd ever had - and right here in our own backyard!
We've supported the Museum annually since then and encourage friends and business associates to do the same.”
--Jerry Weinert
& Marni Dittmar