Centuries of Flavor at CIA's Progressive History Dinner

The menu has been finalized for the Progressive Hudson Valley History Dinner taking place in Hyde Park on July 18, and it’s safe to say you’ve never had a meal quite like this one in your life. In fact, no one has.

That’s because the five courses correspond directly and authentically to how Hudson Valley residents ate during various eras, and so have never been gathered into a single evening’s experience. It’s an elegant and erudite interdisciplinary project from the Applied Food Studies department at The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park. Your menu, squires and squiresses:

Welcome Reception—Pre-Colonial:
Bison Pemiccan, Summer Berries, Venison and Nut Cluster, Smoked Shad, Corn.

First Course—Dutch Colonial (1492–1700):
Roasted Oysters, Herb Salad and Buttermilk Shooter, Johnny Cake and House-made Butter.

Second Course—Early Republic (1775–1825):
Fresh Green “Pease” and Veal Meatball Soup, Mint & Spinach.

Third Course—Gilded Age (1830–1920):
Pike à la Royale,Truffles, Lobster, Mushroom, Potato Quenelle.

Fourth Course—Post Depression (1939–1960; inspired by the “picnic” Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt served King George VI and Queen Elizabeth during their historic visit in 1939):
Beef, Turkey and Wild Game Hot Dogs, Coleslaw, Pickles.

Fifth Course—Modern Times (1970–Current):
Summer Berry Parfait, Coriander Sablé, Spiced Darjeeling Bishop.

The flavorful evening will kick off at 6 pm on July 18 with a reception and talk in the Danny Kaye Theatre rotunda in the Conrad N. Hilton Library, where you can enjoy the exhibit; you’ll then move on to the American Bounty for the rest of the feast.

“As the evening goes on, the food and the narrative will come together in a great arc of who resided here,” says Chef Brian Kaywork of the CIA’s American Bounty restaurant, one of the faculty members who pulled it all together. “There’s nothing political about it, but there is a sense of the intensity felt in every era by the people living through it.”

Tickets are $95 all-inclusive (you’ll be served historically-appropriate beverages as well.) Call (845)451-1014 or visit americanbounty.com/events to reserve yours.