FEBRUARY 2021
Winery Profile: Beaux Frères
AL SO INSIDE • Blast from the Past: 2010 Winter Formal
• Omaha Wine & Food Society First Formal Dinner and the Men who formed the Branch • Introducing Chef Ryan Arensdorf at the Kimpton Cottonwood Hotel • Upcoming Omaha Branch Events
A publication of the Omaha Branch of the International Wine and Food Society
Photo at Beaux Frères Winery from HayleysCellar.com. Page 2 · 2021 ·
A publication of the Omaha Branch of the International Wine and Food Society
CORNER
EDITOR’S
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or the first time ever, our traditional December Holiday Dinner was cancelled due to a spike in the number of Corona Virus cases in Omaha. We had a large number of members decline online when the invitation came out. So there will be no event report. I thought it would be fun, however, to include the photos for our December 2010 event from before I started doing the Omaha Gazette.
One of the casualties of the cancellation of the December Midwest Holiday Wine Dinner Dream was not being able to drink the scheduled Beaux Frères Pinot Noir 2016. This winery is on the top tier of Pinot Noir producers in the Willamette Valley. It has always been a dynamite Pinot. But since I wrote a Winery Profile on Beaux Frères before the cancellation, and I am not one to waste a good story, you can read about Robert Parker Junior’s brother-in-law and his Oregon winery operation in this month’s Gazette.
Our 50th anniversary Formal Dinner is coming up on Valentine’s day. Producer Todd Lemke was inspired to hold the event at the old Blackstone Hotel, where the original event took place. They didn’t have too many members then, so they put all their names on the first menu card. I thought it would be a terrific idea to try to identify all 41 members before their names are forever lost in the fog of history. Some we already knew from the May 2018 History of the Omaha Branch. www.iwfs.org/assets/upload/branches/americas/omaha/Wine__Food_Gazette_News/History_of_ the_IWFS_Omaha_Branch.pdf But we mostly wrote of the past Presidents in that document. Unfortunately, there are still 12 that I can find no information on, and a few more for which I have no photo. If anyone can fill in the missing blanks, please contact me. Please consider attending the 50th Anniversary Valentine Day dinner. The invitation has gone out on email. Like our first Annual Dinner with the ladies, this will be held at the old Blackstone Hotel, now named as the Kimpton Cottonwood. The hotel is has been splendidly remodeled, and the tables will be widely spaced as a COVID precaution. We will be in the same ballroom as the 1972 dinner, with the same menu recreated and given a modern touch. A story on the new chef, Ryan Arensdorf, brought in from the 5 star Salamander Resort and Spa, 38 miles from Washington, DC, completes our Gazette. Some members have had trouble reading the Gazette on issuu.com, Or, they don’t want to sign in, which means you can’t even read the Gazette at all. They prefer a PDF since all you have to do is click it open. We have decided to offer it in both formats. In your email, a PDF will be sent along with the issuu.com link. The advantage of issuu.com is that you can see both right and left pages, like a paper magazine. Our PDF only lets you view one page at a time. Salut,
Tom Murnan Cover Photo: Entrance sign to Beaux Frères Winery. Photo from HayleysCellar.com.
February 2021 · Page 3
A publication of the Omaha Branch of the International Wine and Food Society
WINERY PROFILE: BEAUX FRÈRES WINERY BY TOM MURNAN
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ike Etzel, the 1988 founder of one of Oregon’s top wineries, Beaux Frères (BF), grew up in Maryland, where his father was a buyer for Macy’s Department stores. His father collaborated with early TV cooking star, Graham Kerr, of the Galloping Gourmet show, for table settings Macy’s sold. His family was into food more than wine, and would drink Mateus Rosé and Hearty Burgundy with better food. Mike was not much into higher education, and worked at dairy farms, but his parents insisted he get a college degree. A bit of a laid back hippy, he got a business degree in 1977. There were no good jobs in rural Maryland at the time. He left for New Mexico and became interested in wine. He got a job in a wine shop and later joined up for field work with Gallo, which took him to Colorado, where he began selling higher end wines for a distributor out of Denver. >
Founder Mike Etzel
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Mike D. Etzel (Mikey)
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A publication of the Omaha Branch of the International Wine and Food Society
He met andNovak, married his first wife, Jacque<Mary Weber Founder line and eventually had four sons. At this time period, he had two sons, Jared and Mikey. In 1987 he visited Oregon and tasted a 1979 Pinot Noir (PN) from Tualatin Vineyards. It was put in a German Riesling style bottle. Here he had an epiphany moment about PN. Later in the trip, he spotted an advertisement about a foreclosure of a pig farm in an Oregon newspaper. After walking the property, he and Jacqueline decided to make a life changing move and raise their growing family in Oregon wine country. The farm cost $129,000.00, but he needed help financing it. His sister Pat back in Maryland was dating a lawyer who had some extra money. That lawyer turned out to be Robert Parker Jr. who was just getting into wine criticism and had started the predecessor to the Wine Advocate. Mike needed a $20,000.00 down payment but only had $10,000.00. Pat convinced Robert to invest the other half. Mike didn’t know anything about wine but felt he could learn. Robert wanted to learn something about the practical problems of producing wine. Etzel named the winery Beaux Frères, which in French means brothers-in-law. Etzel was already skilled in construction, so he first began remodeling the farm house. He also planted 5 acres of PN grapes. To pay the bills, he worked at Ponzi Vineyards, where owner Dick Ponzi recalls him as a “Pretty hardy guy.” He came to work the first day riding a motorcycle in the rain. He worked long hours, worked in the Ponzi tasting room, and had a good palate. Etzel learned as much as he could about making wine at Ponzi. Two years later, in 1990, Ponzi made the first vintages for BF at his facility, since Etzel did not have winemaking equipment then. Ponzi agreed to use his license for the 1991 and 1992 vintages under Etzel’s BF label. Etzel priced the 1992 wine at $34.00 when most high end Oregon wines were running $20.00. But the wine sold. All profits were put back into the winery so it could grow. Oregon’s first wave of PN growers pioneered the grape. Beginning with Eyrie in 1965, then Knudsen Erath (1967), Ponzi (1970) and Adelsheim (1971), all the first wave PN specialists used Burgundy as their model and produced wines of elegance and
delicacy as their hallmarks. BF was among the second wave of PN specialists, along with Panther Creek founded in 1986, Domaine Drouhin Oregon and Argyle, both begun in 1987, and Domaine Serene (1989). These wines had more power and richness than their predecessors. More capital was needed when an old barn was converted into the winery. A third partner, Robert Roy, stepped forward, making a total of three partners: Etzel, Parker and Roy, each having about a third of the stock. All four of Mike’s sons have grown up working in the vineyards and winery. BF is located in the Willamette Valley on top of a ridge near Newburg in the Ribbon Ridge AVA. Of the 88 acres in the original pig farm, 24 of 30 acres are planted to vines in Willakenzie soil at about 400 feet above sea level. Similar to Burgundy, the vines are tightly planted at 2,200 to 3,200 vines per acre. The Pommard and Wäldenswil clone vines are planted on their own root stock, as well as some Dijon clone on phylloxera resistant root stock. Etzel aims for about 3 ton yields per acre, more than what is considered ideal in Oregon, but he feels the higher yield makes for a better balanced wine. The oldest vines are 31 years old. 50 acres of the farm are covered in Douglas Fir pines. Etzel feels this is an important microclimate that keeps the vines from drying out from the wind. Another vineyard, known as the Upper Terrace, is nearby, a bit higher in elevation, and occupied with 6 different Dijon clones. It is about 9 acres. Both vineyards are farmed biodynamically since about 2000. Over the years, Mike decided to back off the high alcohol and extraction. In the 1990s, he aimed for 25 Brix. Now he wants 22.5 to 22.8 Brix sugar level. He is looking for finesse, better balance less alcohol with lower ripeness, which also lowers the sugar level. He also began using natural yeast and quit adding enzymes, which increased the color intensity and bouquet, preferring to go natural. He also began using less toasty French oak which can mask the delicate flavors of PN. In 2010, Mike’s wife Jacqueline died of cancer. He remarried Cary Critchlow, an attorney for Oregon Health & Science University in Portland. By 2017, Etzel’s partners, Robert Parker Jr. and Robert Parker, both in their 70’s, wanted out. There
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was a little bit of bitterness in the split as Etzel felt he did all the work, while his two partners just supplied some money. Etzel didn’t have the money to buy them out, but made some feelers. The Champagne grand marque Henroit turned out to be a good partner. Also a family business, they purchased Bouchard Père et Fils and Domaine Fèvre, a Chablis winery, both from France. This is their first new world winery, owning two thirds of the stock. Mike Etzel will remain until 2022, when he turns 68. Mike’s son Mikey also continues to work at the family business.
Over the years, no other Oregon PN specialist has garnered the number of high ratings from both the Wine Spectator and Wine Advocate that Beaux Frères has earned. Their Pinot Noir lineup includes Beaux Frères Vineyard, Upper Terrace Vineyard, The Giant Pinot Noir, which is a combination of BF Vineyard and Upper Terrace, Belles Soeurs (French for Sistersin-Law, discontinued for awhile but now returned), Abbot Claim, Doration, Guadalupe, Jesse James, Sequitur (a collection of 17 different PN clones), and Star Mooring. BF also makes one Chardonnay. If you ever have a chance to taste Beaux Frères, jump at the opportunity. Sources: https://www.winespectator.com/ articles/the-birth-and-building-of-beauxfreres-033120; https://www.winespectator. com/articles/beaux-freres-pinot-noirs-standthe-test-of-time-52621
Photo at Beaux Frères Winery from HayleysCellar.com. February 2021 · Page 7
Ballroom of the old Blackstone Hotel
A publication of the Omaha Branch of the International Wine and Food Society
OMAHA WINE & FOOD SOCIETY FIRST FORMAL DINNER & THE MEN WHO FORMED THE BRANCH BY TOM MURNAN
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his is our 50th year as a Branch of the International Wine & Food Society. Todd Lemke drew the short straw and found himself with producing a couples’ Valentine’s Day event for February. But Todd knew a few things. One was that the remodeling work on the old Blackstone Hotel was almost done. And the other thing was, wouldn’t it be fun to have a 50th anniversary dinner in the exact location? By 1971, the hotel had sold out to the Radisson chain and was called the Radisson Blackstone. Todd and I toured the now named Kimpton Cottonwood Hotel (the name Blackstone was purchased by a hotel in Chicago) on the day they were moving furniture in. We got a tour of this remarkable facility, including how much of the floor tile and wood work was preserved on the main and lower levels, a new events center, a new outdoors pool & pool house, and all remodeled rooms. But I was most interested in the ballroom, because that is where the original
banquet took place in 1972. There is now a newly installed direct elevator, going from the kitchen to the top floor. There used to be two ballrooms on top, one to the south and one north. Today, only the north one survives. The south side has been taken over by support rooms and offices. The ballroom is gorgeous and looks like we were in the 1920s with arched ceiling woodwork and a great view of the Omaha neighborhoods. After much digging, I found a photo of the older ballroom. We are fortunate that we have a surviving piece of ephemera: the menu card from the first dinner. I believe it was Chef Erwin F. Siegler that still had that copy. I got a lot of the earliest history of the Omaha Branch from him. That was a good thing because Erwin died on 9/11/2020, and there was no one else around who knew the history of the earliest days of the Branch. Todd was inspired to duplicate the original menu for our event, with a few modern twists for 2021. Working Page 8 · 2021 ·
with the hotel bureaucracy was a bit of a chore, like it is with any large hotel chain. A new chef was brought in, Ryan Arensdorf. For more on him, read the next story.
The Men who formed Our Omaha Branch
I am so glad that they included the entire membership in the 1972 menu. Otherwise, the names of the first members would have been lost in the haze of history. Here is a brief sketch of most of the men that formed the IWFS Omaha Branch. The earliest Presidents had a one year term. That’s why Leonard Kulakofsky was not President during the 1972 Annual Dinner. During my research on the member names from the card, I noticed
that there was a Dr. Chester Waters III on the internet. Reasoning how many Chester Waters III can there be in Omaha, NE, I tracked him down and sent him letter asking him if he was the man that attended the 11/17/1972 dinner. This is the interesting response I received on 1/26/2021. Tom: I am responding to your very interesting letter that I just received - what a blast from the past!! Yes - I am the same Chester Waters from the 1972 membership list. After my father’s unexpected death (when I was a college sophomore), and knowing about my budding interest in enology, Leonard Kulakofsky took me under his wing and we became good friends. He basically let me shop his wine inventory at his cost at his Central Market supermarket in Rockbrook, and I’m sure it was he who invited me to join the Omaha Wine and Food Society on its formation. I already knew many of the other new members: Three of us were together in my Medical School class: (Dr.) Leo Heywood, (Dr.) Thomas Nilsson and myself. Tom Nilsson died recently and quite unexpectedly, but I believe Leo is still alive. We certainly were the youngest members. All the other names that I do recognize from the list are deceased. The menu and wines suggest a very expensive event,* but somehow I found the funds—as a student, I might have been given a discount. But back then you could actually afford to drink those great wines: I don’t remember then ever hearing about uberwealthy collectors who bid up prices beyond a normal citizen’s means. When Leonard was closing Central Market, he invited me back into his warehouse to let me have my pick at or below cost, and I still have three bottles of a case of 1966 Haut-Brion I purchased! I think they then retailed at about $8.00 per bottle, and my wholesale cost was less. I think most subsequent meetings, always held at the Blackstone, were on Saturday afternoons ~ 2 PM- probably since the main dining room wasn’t free in the evenings. Erwin Siegler (RIP), who I also got to know well, always put on a tremendous dinner and, of course, the wines were superb. But, being still daytime when we finished, we adjourned to the Blackstone’s small bar (I recall it was on the north side, just below street level), [ probably the Golden Spur or Cottonwood Room, editor ] where the wealthier members repeatedly hosted vintage cognacs and ports— what a bacchanal! DWI wasn’t yet a concept or concern, but none of could have passed today’s blood alcohol sobriety limits. Some-
how we all survived to return home for a very early bedtime! I quit going to meetings when I moved to Kansas City for my Orthopedic Residency and there was neither time or money to join a chapter in K.C. Once back in Omaha in 1979 for my Orthopedic Practice I had to be responsibly sober 24/7 and thus drank little wine—or other spirits either. After I lost my wife 16 years ago I have never even opened a bottle of wine just for myself as it’s way too much for me now, and wine alone just doesn’t feel right. Thanks for getting in touch and sharing the menu and membership program with me. —Chester Waters III *The 1974 Annual Dinner cost $55.00, so the 1972 event was probably $50 to $55 as well. (Editor)
* Leon Alexander Moved to Omaha around 1950 from Oklahoma. President of Freuehof, which built tanker trucks. Died September 26, 2015 at the age of 89. *Dr. Richard Booth was among the very first 2 or 3 members who helped get the Omaha Branch started with the IWFS. He was a physician, founded the Cardiac Laboratory at Creighton University, as well as Associate Dean of Clinical Services from 1971 to 1980. He was a long time Board member but never wanted to be President. Died May 24, 2014. John Bozell No information. *John Chauche was the guy Erwin Siegler called “The Frenchman.” He worked for Northern Natural Gas and was a tireless promoter of the Omaha Branch. He never ran for President. *Peter Citron was an early food critic for the Omaha World Herald and ran a column for many years. He wrote Peter Citron’s Insiders Guide to Omaha Restaurants. Died 2003. *Dr. George O. Clifford Attended Harvard University and Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston, then worked for a variety of medical universities before coming to Creighton University in 1972 as the Chairman of the Department of Medicine for 13 years. He also taught at the Veterans AdminFebruary 2021 · Page 9
istration Medical Center. He was awarded the Master Clinician Award in 1987 and Distinguished Service Award in 2002. He made many contributions to the Creighton School of Medicine. He died on December 23, 2002. Paul Coolman No information. *Dan DeLorenzo worked for the wholesaler Western Wine & Liquor. He was the Branch’s first Wine Chairman, a position he kept for about 6 years. *George Dinsdale was our 7th President 1977-1978. He worked for Travel and Transport. Robert B. Edwards No information. Dr. James D. Eisen No information. Leo Eisenstatt No precise information. Possibly an attorney. Dr. W. E. Engdahl No information. James Erixon No information. William Goddard No information. R. R. Hagelman No information. *Fred Hauss Our 2nd President 1972-1973. Fred worked for the Food Department at Brandeis Department Store and was in charge of the deli. He later went on his own and founded Cheese World, just south of 105th and Pacific St. *Harvey Hayes was our 5th President 1975-1976. Owner of Omaha Printing Co, Harvey was on the Board for years and worked as Membership Chairman. His famous motto was “Never run out of wine!” *Dr. Leo Heywood was a prominent OB-GYN. My mother had to call him in 1951 because she was in labor for 24 hours with no result. Leo took an x-ray and discovered she was having twins and that their chins were interlocked. He performed a C-section and
delivered me and my twin brother. Claire Murnan reports he was very handsome and all the nurses liked him. Died July 12, 2004 age 93. Leo Heywood Jr., son of Doctor Leo Heywood. Known as ‘Tom’ (his middle name is Thomas), he went to medical school with Chester Waters III and Thomas Nilsson, who both attended the dinner. Graduated from University of Nebraska College of Medicine in 1975 with a specialty in Otolaryngology (ear, nose and throat) and worked for 46 years in Omaha, NE. Married to Barbara, a physician with an OB-GYN specialty. Retired from practice and moved to Texas. Presumed to be still alive as of January 2021. William Hotz No information. *Warren Johnson Chef Erwin Siegler said he was our first secretary. Les Zanotti recalls him as a Board treasurer. A March 5th, 1974 invitation announcing the Annual Banquet on March 15, 1974 at the Highlands Country Club has Warren listed as Secretary / Treasurer. *Leonard Kulakofsky was our 1st President 1971-1972. He owned the Old Central Market at 16th and Harney, a grocery store known for its choice beef. Retired and moved to Chicago, IL. *Judge Donald P. Lay was the senior judge of the US Court of Appeals for the Eight Circuit from 1966 to 1992. Before that he was an instructor at the Omaha University School of Law from 1956 to 1957. He received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Iowa Law School. Died April 29, 2007. *Dr. Charles E. Look was a pediatrician and practiced in Omaha for 35 years. Died April 7, 2019 at the age of 89. *Ed McEachen Graduated from The University of Michigan Law School in 1952. He was admitted to the Nebraska bar in 1952 and became a partner for Baird Holm McEachen Pedersen, et al (now Baird Holm) in 1958. Ed specialized in hospital law and represented Nebraska Methodist Hospital in Omaha for 40 years. In 1968, McEachen was
a founder and later became the President and a member of the Board of Directors of the American Society of Hospital Attorneys. Ed passed away in 2003. He was described by his work associates as a wine aficionado. *Dr. Donald Nilsson was a pediatrician and an allergist. Worked at Midwest Allergy and Asthma Clinic, P.C. with his son, Thomas. He died in the MGM Grand Hotel fire in Los Vegas, NV, along with his wife Janet on November 21, 1980. *Thomas C. Nilsson son of Dr. Donald Nilsson. Went to medical school with Leo Heywood Jr. and Chester Waters III, who both attended the 11/13/1972 Annual Dinner. Graduated from University of Nebraska College of Medicine medical school around 1975. and became a physician specializing as an allergist. Worked at Midwest Allergy and Asthma Clinic, P.C. to work alongside his father and founder Dr. Donald Nilsson in 1980. He was an outdoor enthusiast. Died 10/24/2020. Herbert L. Osborne No information available. *Harry B. Otis was our 3rd President 1973-1974. He was an attorney and involved with Otis Elevator Co. Partner of Gaines, Mullen, Pansing & Hogan, specializing in the field of Corporation, Tax Real Estate, Commercial, Railroad, Insurance, Hospital, Probate, Banking and Trust Law. Trials and Appeals. Erwin Siegler called him “the funniest guy.” He wrote two books. I use his The Best Of The Cockle Bur, which he edited, for quotes in the Omaha Wine & Food Gazette. It is a collection of wit, wisdom, humor and beauty from many sources. His other book was E. Pluribus Omaha Immigrants All. *William Otis was the brother of Harry Otis and stayed a few years with the Branch. Died January 1, 2010 at the age of 86. Art Prouty No information available. *Albert Quambusch became our 4th President 1974-1975. He was involved with his family business, AAA Motor Club, and was its president.
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*James Rimmer became the 6th President 19761977. He was the president of Gate City Steel, a division of Valmont Industries. He would have events at the French Café, which included the January Stag and a Spring Formal. He was very active with the Branch. *Paul Rosen would become the 22nd President 19961998. He owned Louis Market and Louis Grille and Bar at 57th and Northwest Highway in Omaha. Louis later expanded to have a branch at the Albertsons off 102 and Q Streets. Some of the earlier Board meetings took place at Louis Market and had chili and hot dogs and determined which wines should be used for events as wine ratings by professional wine writers were not prominent then. *Fred Sauvageau was a Senior Vice President of Brandeis Department Store. Died December 3, 2005 at the age of 76. *A. G. Schatz Born in Omaha, NE. Received an AB degree at University of NE, was a captain in the US Marine Corp 1943-1946, received his law degree from Creighton University. Was in private practice from 1950-1973. Richard Nixon nominated him for Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska in 1973. He served in this capacity until his death on April 30, 1985 at the age of 63. *Mark K. Schimmel was the grandson of Charles Schimmel, who purchased the Blackstone Hotel from the original owner and builder in 1920. Charles owned seven hotels, and he had trained each of his 4 sons in the hotel business. (Besides the Blackstone they owned the Indian Hills in Omaha, and the Cornhusker in Lincoln). Along with other family members, they each ran one of these hotels. Mark’s father, Edward Schimmel was the manager of the Blackstone for many years. Then Mark became manager. He was the manager at the time the hotel was sold to Radisson in 1968, but he stayed on as manager for a number of years after. He was present when Leonard Kulakofsky, Richard Booth, and Erwin Siegler began meeting and decided to join the IWFS. Died March 29, 2016. *Louis Seminara was an Omaha attorney and a member of the Santa Lucia Festival committee. He died on April 14, 2009 at the age of 90.
The Kimpton Cottonwood Hotel Historic Schimmel Ballroom
*Dr. Philippe Shubik Educated at Green College, Oxford University in the medical field, he was a cancer researcher. He came to the United States in 1949 and worked at Northwest University in Chicago. In 1968 he became Director of the Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases in Omaha, NE and his research group moved to UNMC, studying methods to improve the knowledge of the treatment and prevention of cancer. He had an award named after him. The “Philippe Shubik Distinguished Scientist Award” recognizes an individual who has led a long and productive career in toxicology and who has made significant and noteworthy contributions to the field. Died December 20, 2004. *Erwin Siegler. While not technically a member of the new Branch just yet in 1972, he worked for the Radisson Blackstone as its Executive Chef and provided the “culinary care” and guidance, and crafted the 11-17-1972 dinner.
Later he would become the 16th President 1987-1987, never completing his first year due to conflicts with the Board. Erwin is responsible for most of the very early history being recorded and presented to the Branch in the May 2018 Omaha Wine & Food Gazette. He died on 9/11/2020. If it wasn’t for Erwin’s willingness and excitement to share this history, it would have been lost as no one else was left who knew it. *Dr. Ralph Turkel was a dentist and became the 8th President 1978-1979. He was on the board for many years, and was Event Coordinator and Membership Chairman. He was awarded the André Simon Bronze Medal in 2001. Chester Waters III was a college student when the 11/17/1972 dinner took place. Leonard Kulakofsky took Chester under his wing after his father died unexpectedly and invited him to join the Branch. Went to medical school with Leo Heywood Jr. and Thomas February 2021 · Page 11
Nilsson, who both attended the dinner. Graduated from University of Nebraska College of Medicine medical school in 1975. Orthopedic Surgery Specialist in Omaha, NE starting in 1979. Retired around 2014. *Dr. Carlyle E. Wilson was an MD. Little information online, but seems to have taught at a medical school in the Omaha area. Was a colleague of Drs. Scherer, Chadek, Schreiner, et al. Died January 27, 2012. An* on the list indicates Deceased. For more history about the IWFS Omaha Branch, go to our web site: https://www.iwfs. org/americas/omaha/branch-history Sources: https://www.blackstonedistrict.com/ district-history; https://www.omahamagazine.com/2014/05/28/303881/crystal-andcorned-beef; https://www.acppubs.com/ articles/leo-a-daly-s-restoration-design-reinvents-kimpton-s-historic-cottonwood-hotel-in-omaha
A publication of the Omaha Branch of the International Wine and Food Society
First Annual Dinner Menu Page 12 · 2021 ·
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A publication of the Omaha Branch of the International Wine and Food Society
2010 Winter Formal TOM MURNAN | PHOTOS BY RON POLICKY
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he year 2020 certainly had its difficulties, mostly centering around the Corona Virus and the political reactions to it. Not all states had the same policies, and some were more draconian than others when it came to shutting down restaurants. Add mask requirements and social distancing to the mix, and prepared food establishments had a hard time of it. Our Midwest Holiday Wine Dinner Dreams promised to be a great celebration of comfort food, along with music for dancing provided by In The Moment Band. But alas, it was not to be. Too many members declined the invitation, and the logistics of paying for a band just could not be sustained. So I thought I would include the invite and photos of those who attended 10 years ago. It was booked as A Snazzy Jazzy Holiday Wine Dinner at Happy Hollow Club. Dan Hamann and Duke Matz were the event producers. Note the price: $220.00 per couple back then. It’s getting hard to do an event for $220.00 per person now. Enjoy the invite and pictures. We did look just a bit younger then, don’t you think!
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A publication of the Omaha Branch of the International Wine and Food Society
IWFS-Omaha Winter Formal
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A publication of the Omaha Branch of the International Wine and Food Society
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A publication of the Omaha Branch of the International Wine and Food Society
INTRODUCING CHEF RYAN ARENSDORF AT
TH E
K I M PTO N
COT TO N WO O D
H OTE L
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or our Valentine’s Day 50th Formal Dinner event at the old Blackstone Hotel, a high powered culinary star has been brought in from a five star resort, the Salamander Resort and Spa (38 miles from Washington, DC), not just for our event, but to get the Cottonwood on the Omaha hotel and culinary map. The menu will be inspired from the Omaha Branch’s first couples dinner at the Blackstone in 1972. Our Branch has been invited to join the Omaha Branch in their celebration and will be collaborating on the wines. Since Chef Ryan is new to the Omaha area, it is appropriate to introduce him here and whet your interest for this historic and fun event.
CH EF
RYAN
AR E N S D O R F
With over 15 years of high-touch, hands-on culinary experience, Arensdorf joins us from the Salamander Resort and Spa, where, as Executive Chef, he played a key role in its distinction as a Forbes Five Star rated resort. After completing his education at Chicago’s Kendall College, Chef Arensdorf began his career at Gibson’s Bar & Steakhouse in Chicago. Working extensively in the Windy City food scene with renowned chefs, Arensdorf heightened his culinary skill while working with Chef Martial Noguier at notable Chicago establishments including Bistronomic, Michael Jordan’s One Sixtyblue and Café des Architectes at Sofitel Chicago Water Tower. He also opened Cibo Matto at theWit Hotel alongside Chef Todd Stein. Chef Arensdorf is committed to creating a unique dining experience in Omaha, centered around kitchen-wide scratch cooking. This is a philosophy instilled in him by both of his grandmothers, who made lasting family memories with their kitchen traditions, especially their hand-crafted jams and jellies, and freshly baked pies. Chef Arensdorf is excited to bring his experience and passion to The Cottonwood Hotel.
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A publication of the Omaha Branch of the International Wine and Food Society
UPCOMING OMAHA BRANCH EVENTS
Mark Your Calendars!
FEB.
14
THE COTTONWOOD
MAR.
NOON STAG HAPPY HOLLOW CLUB CRY ROOM
13 APR.
17
(FORMERLY THE BLACKSTONE HOTEL)
IWFS Omaha 50th Anniversary Formal Dinner Producer: Todd Lemke & Mike Wilke
March Madness theme Producer: Joe Goldstein
TBD
Producer: Mark Stokes
HOSTING AN EVENT? Let us know when, where and a little bit about what’s going on! We would love to include YOUR event on the calendar! Email details to: murnantom@gmail.com
A publication of the Omaha Branch of the International Wine and Food Society
February 2021 Purpose: To meet communication and service needs, to broaden participation and understand and to be an information exchange for the membership of The International Wine & Food Society in the Americas. Publisher: Todd Lemke Editor: Tom Murnan Graphic Designer: Omaha Magazine, LTD.
THE INTERNATIONAL WINE & FOOD SOCIETY OF LONDON, ENGLAND OM A H A, NEBR A SK A BR A NCH - E X ECU T I V E COM MIT TEE This Quick Response Code (QR-Code) can be scanned with a scanner app on your smart phone to take the reader directly to the Omaha Branch web site.
PR E SI DENT: Mark Stokes............................................................... mark_stokes@aig.com
V ICE PR E SI DENT / SECR ETA RY: Dave Thrasher.................... dave@supportworks.com
TR EASU R ER: Les Zanotti................................................................ zanol@cox.net
W I N E CELLA R M ASTER: Duke Matz....................................... dmatz@darland.com M EM BERSH I P CH A I R M A N: Joe Goldstein.............................. goldie2@cox.net
B OA R D O F D I R E C T O R S : Joe Goldstein
John Matthews
Todd Lemke
Tom Murnan
Steve Hipple
Duke Matz
Tad Singer
Lowell Wilhite
Dave Thrasher
Les Zanotti
Mark Stokes
Mike Wilke
KEEP IN TOUCH! Please notify Club President, Mark Stokes, 402-679-7317 or via email at mark_stokes@aig.com to let him know if you are interested in hosting an IWFS event.
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