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:
Password: desert
All photos by Summitt Photography