[MDixon]

I wish everyone would stop being so nice about last year's banquet meal. Worst entree I've ever had at an AHA Conference.

[hopfenundmalz]

I wish everyone would stop being so nice about last year's banquet meal. Worst entree I've ever had at an AHA Conference.

Salad was good. Desert was excellent. The entree was in bad rubber chicken territory. Agreed.

[theDarkSide]

So what is the most quintessential cuisine for Grand Rapids?  That part of MI has a large German population, doesn't it? 

I wonder if German food and beer pairs well?

[udubdawg]

So what is the most quintessential cuisine for Grand Rapids? 

issues with last year's dinner aside, NHC desserts have been awesome and I hope to see some apple or blueberry or tart cherry represented this year...

speaking of apples, Fred have we got any pro cidermakers showing up? 

damnit now I'm thirsty at 9am.

[Herminator]

Good to know.  West Michigan has a large German and Dutch population....so it might be a good fit.  Also, it wouldn't be a Michigan dessert if it didn't highlight cherries.  ha. 

Damn....now I am hungry and thirsty too udubdawg!   

[hopfenundmalz]

Fred and Crispy asked the signature Michigan ingredient question of the local clubs around the state, so as to give Sean some ideas. Don't know the final result.

I would love whitefish, but getting that much for one meal might be hard.

[james]

Pasties for entree!

[morticaixavier]

Pasties for entree!

I assume you mean the hand held savory pie rather than the... well 'clothing' item?

[HoosierBrew]

My mind went in the same direction too.   

[james]

Pasties for entree!

I assume you mean the hand held savory pie rather than the... well 'clothing' item?

I'm originally from Michigan, so I wasn't aware of the nipple variety till I was older

[hopfenundmalz]

Pasties for entree!

I assume you mean the hand held savory pie rather than the... well 'clothing' item?

Spelling is a little different, right? Well I guess not, had to look it up.

I do have an old Tom Waits song running through my head right now.

[Herminator]

My mind went in the same direction too.   

bahahaha....pasties (the correct spelling) would be a good option and/or a fish option. 

Now...coming up with a vegan option with Michigan themed ingredients would be more difficult.  But my fingers are crossed. 

[dbarber]

I wish everyone would stop being so nice about last year's banquet meal. Worst entree I've ever had at an AHA Conference.

Based on my sample size of 4, I would agree.

[dkfick]

Yeah I was left with some egg on my face after the Philly meal... Kept telling my friends how great it would be... then that overcooked pretzel thing came out...

[jeffy]

Yeah I was left with some egg on my face after the Philly meal... Kept telling my friends how great it would be... then that overcooked pretzel thing came out...

Same here.  I had everybody expecting the best meal ever, regaling them about Seattle's fantastic menu.