Culinary Historians: Tales of the Berghoff, Oct 27th @ 10 AM

Culinary Historians of Chicago and ChicaGourmets present:

Tales of the Berghoff

Presented by Jan Berghoff and Carlyn Berghoff, with author Nancy Ross Ryan

Saturday, Oct. 27, 2007

At 17 West at the Berghoff, 17 W. Adams St., Chicago
(Reduced rate parking with validation at 17 EAST Adams.)

Join us for one of our most special occasions ever when the Berghoff family hosts us, and tells us about their more than 100-year history in Chicago, which is truly Chicago’s History. They will also be signing copies of their just-published “The Berghoff Family Cookbook,” loaded with,lore, and their classic recipes –Now you too can make your own classic Berghoff creamed spinach, schnitzel and strudel!

Program outline:

10 a.m.: Registration and welcome refreshments:

Herb cheesecake with crackers and assorted fruits

10:15 a.m.: Bruce Kraig, PhD, president Culinary Historians of Chicago, introductory remarks

Jan & Carlyn Berghoff on Berghoff family history

Nancy Ross Ryan, on writing The Berghoff Family Cookbook

11 a.m. Q&A, followed by book signing and hors d’oeuvres reception:

Mini Reubens—Corned beef on rye with Swiss cheese and Thousand Island dressing, toasted in a Panini press until crispy

Berghoff Beer and Rootbeer served during reception and luncheon

Reception and lecture only: $5 per member (ChicaGourmets or Culinary Historians), $15 per nonmember

***

Noon luncheon:

Butternut squash soup and duck pot stickers, petit salad of baby greens

Served family style: Chicken Schnitzel, with grilled lemons and chilled asparagus salad; Saurbraten with sweet and sour gravy; Herb-crusted filet of salmon on a bed of wilted spinach with whole grain mustard sauce

Herbed spaetzle, braised cabbage and German fried potatoes

Mini dessert platters—apple strudel, Black Forest cake bites, white chocolate mousse spoons, and crème brulee strawberries.

Parting gift of rootbeer cheesecake lollipops.

Total program (lecture, reception, lunch) cost: $49 per member (Culinary Historians or ChicaGourmet) and $59 per nonmember

Reservations are secured with receipt of payment on a first-come basis.

You can reserve online at www.ChicaGourmets.org Discover, Master Card and Visa accepted

e-mail: DonaldNewcomb@comcast.net Tel: 708-383-7543, or send your check to: ChicaGourmets! Premier Bank, 1210 Central Ave., Wilmette, IL 60091

I just returned from the Tales of the Berghoff event. The talks were interesting, although with some editing of history. The claims that have been spread of the change from Berghoff to 17 West as a means of deunionizing the work force was not mentioned (I have no independent knowledge of whether this is true). Still, the Berghoff and the Berghoff family has been a real asset to the city of Chicago, and I am glad that their elegant cookbook is available to read while drinking their sturdy and sweetly rooty root beer. (Berghoff beer has not been my favorite - I find that it has off-flavors - as it had this afternoon).

Unfortunately the meal was not a very good advertisement for the new regime at 17 West at the Berghoff. I enjoyed the butternut squash soup, but most of the rest was disappointing and overcooked (and some of the dishes never reached our table, such as the fried potatoes). The duck pot stickers (why would they have been served to a crowd of foodies?) were simultaneously gummy and overcooked. The Chicken Schnitzel (nicely herbed), filet of salmon, and sauerbraten (with a tangy gravy) were each overcooked. The desserts and vegetables were nothing special.

It is true that for some time before its closing the Berghoff lived on the glow of nostalgia, but this lunch, especially given the audience of the culinarily knowledgeable, was disappointing. The service - very young servers - was friendly but not knowledgeable. There can be benefits to a professional (and unionized) staff. Our server had to check on the sauce for the salmon and the servers forgot to serve our table the sauerbraten - and so that became our dessert. Not good.

While I appreciated the hospitality of the Berghoff family and I wish them - as I wish all restaurateurs - success, after this lunch, I will not be able to recommend 17 West at the Berghoff to out of town visitors.

Perhaps some of the other LTHers present will have different views.

The Berghoff Conversations, featuring Carlyn Berghoff
and Nancy Ross Ryan aired this Sunday at
3:30pm on Chicago cable networks (Comcast, RCN and
Wide Open West) on channel 25. -

Conversations With...

Beginning Oct. 29 it will air Mondays - Thursdays at 2pm,
Thursdays at 9pm, and again on
Sundays at 3:30pm. It will run for a month.