Kitchen Kudos

By Jacqueline Devine

2006

Sharon Van Verth enjoys the distinction of having served as executive chef to two Iowa governors. She has ruled the kitchen with grace under pressure for 16 years. Her tenure at Terrace Hill has included pleasing the palates of a long list of variously hungry guests ranging from receptions for international dignitaries to Foundation gala patrons attending a $1,000-a-head dinner to guests at monthly high teas and an occasional pizza party.

Van Verth depends on volunteers, administrative staff, and work-release inmates for assistance in preparing for serving large numbers of events and people. Her daily schedule includes preparing meals in the basement kitchen for the first family on the third floor. An elevator buses meals to the governors table upstairs.

Whether serving a multicourse meal on official state china or preparing for an outdoor event in the Victorian Garden, Van Verth plans her menus with effect and economy in mind. Even after years of experience, she experiments with new recipes and taste-tests the results with event chairs before adding a selection to the menu.

One of her most elaborate recent menus, served at the premiere of Ebenezer & The Spirit of Giving, is detailed here as “Dinner with Dickens.”

Hors d’oeuvres
SHRIMP CILANTRO SPRING ROLL WITH CITRUS SAUCE
SALMON FENNEL SKEWER
CURRIED CHICKEN CANAP
BEEF WRAPPED BALSAMIC GLAZED APRICOT
BLUE CHEESE APPLE PASTRY

Soup
LOBSTER BISQUE

Salad
ARGULA WITH CHEVRE, ASPARAGUS AND SHITAKE TERRINE DRESSED IN
GRAPEFRUIT AND POMEGRANATE VINAIGRETTE

Intermezzo
MANGO SORBET

Vegetable Course
ROASTED VEGETABLE TERRINE OF EGGPLANT, YELLOW AND RED PEPPERS
AND ZUCCHINI WITH ROASTED RED PEPPER SAUCE AND BASIL OIL

Entre
BEEF MEDALLIONS WITH PORT DEMI-GLAZE
CORNISH HEN WITH CARAMELIZED ONION ORANGE CHUTNEY
POTATO DAUPHINOISE

Bread
ASSORTED EUROPEAN BREADS

Desserts
ASSORTED TARTS
BRANDY SNAPS
CHEESECAKES
SCANDINAVIAN ALMOND WAFERS
TUXEDO STRAWBERRIES
TRUFFLES

Van Verth’s recipes can be found in Fresh from Terrace Hill ($25) and in Tea Time at Terrace Hill ($4). Both books are available in The Carriage House gift shop in person or online at The Carriage House at Terrace Hill online shop

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