Mardi Gras meal served up in Russell

Mardi Gras celebrants (from left) Tessa Gadomski, Coral Wille, Kristin Nuzzio, Matthew Petroff, Greg Stirparo and Matthew Stubbolo enjoy a ‘Ragin’ Cajun’ feast.

3:20 p.m., March 3, 2006--UD's Russell Dining Hall was transformed into a miniature Bourbon Street for Dining Services' Mardi Gras dinner celebration on Tuesday, Feb. 28.

More than 1,300 students from all parts of campus attended the “Ragin' Cajun” Mardi Gras dinner. The students had their choice of a variety of Cajun-inspired dishes, including chicken gumbo, muffaletta sandwiches, blackened chicken, hot sausage po' boy sandwiches, seafood creole and praline pecan cheesecake. Early that evening, diners were treated to a short jazz performance by three of UD's Jazz Band musicians.

“The dining hall was totally transformed into a frenzied carnival scene with scintillating entrees that kept the students coming for more,” Merlyn Bowen, marketing program manager for Dining Services, said. Colored banners were strung across the ceiling and lights hung from four large tents placed around the dining area. The dining staff dished out the Southern cuisine at food stations draped with purple, yellow and green decorations, and the dining tables were covered with costume trinkets and mini-masks.

Dining services employee Tierra Henry serves up real cajun food.

“Nothing is more rewarding than to see the expressions on the faces of the students who attend the dinner,” Anthony Rizzo, Russell Dining Hall director, said. He described the event as “simply unforgettable.”

Bowen said that photos taken at the event are being compiled and will be submitted to the National Association of College and University Food Services awards next month. The photos will be posted on the Dining Services web site at [www.udel.edu/dining].

Article by Rachel Cirone, AS '06
Photos by Kathy F. Atkinson

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