Seed snow and even a few sprinkles danced around the Valley Sunday afternoon and evening, but sun hit the tips of the north rim and gradually slid down into the Valley on Monday morning. It didn’t warm up much, however. Mist from Yosemite Falls froze on the cliff face, making it look like a big white Christmas tree, with a puddle of ice at the base.
The first culinary demonstration at the new session of Chefs'
Holidays at the Ahwahnee Hotel was due to start at ten on Monday morning. We
were afraid of missing the connecting bus from Yosemite Lodge where we were
staying to the Ahwahnee, so we took the car instead.
People lined up at both entrances to the Great Room. Sister,
Sister-in-Law and Sister’s Friend who was “L” yesterday, but I’m changing it to
El today. They were excited at the prospect of the demos. I, on the other hand,
who have lost all interest in cooking and who will happily fill my tummy with
granola bars and PB&Js, find the thought of watching a food demo
sleep-inducing. I sat in the lobby to the Great Room, in front of a toasty
fire, reading for a while and eventually snoozing.
Prospective gourmet cooks watch professionals demo in the Ahwahnee
Great Room:
I have a list of the cooks scheduled, but some appearances apparently
had to be switched to different times, so won’t mention names here, since I wasn’t
in the room.
Toasty fire, with decorative art above the mantel:
We bused on over to Yosemite Village for lunch and some shopping,
then back to the Ahwahnee for an afternoon demo (and nap). No, actually, I
started looking through my photos to choose which to use for the blog.
We had reservations for dinner in the Ahwahnee Dining Room this
evening, so we took the bus back to the Lodge to change for dinner, and en
route learned the secrets of making the connection to the Ahwahnee with only
two buses running on the hour-long circuit, thus avoiding having to allow an
hour to get back for dinner. Or subsequent culinary demos.
At last, pine needles, snow, ice and mud are being scraped off the
walkways, another use for a Bobcat. (Can’t resist machinery being operated, as
you know.)
When we got back to the Dining Room, we were informed that the
Queen’s Table was being prepared for us. It’s so-named because Queen Elizabeth
once dined at that table. It’s in an alcove with a spectacular view – in the
daytime – of Yosemite Falls and the cliffs. As evening falls, we can see
remnants of blue sky above the cliffs, and reflections of all the chandeliers
in the room, including our own. (El’s back, Sister opposite her, SIL on the
left. The couple beyond us was celebrating their 41st Anniversary.
The bread basket:
“Smile, Sister.”
We had two prime rib dinners split among us. Here’s my half
serving of prime rib, broccoli and mushrooms, mashed potatoes and Yorkshire
pudding.
Then there was the “Three Petite Brulees,” distributed among three
of us. I got the Tahitian Vanilla Crème Brulee. It was really very tiny, but
plenty of sweetness for me.
We took the car back to the Lodge, with four overstuffed ladies who
will not fit their jeans the next day. And El was thrilled with her experience.
See you soon.
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