Pam Casalino found the baby in her slice of King Cake; she gets to furnish the King Cake next year!
Pam and Wayne Casalino make a clean sweep at the Tuesday Taster’s Mardi Gras celebration. They chose the winning wine and Pam found the baby in the King Cake!
Catherine Bass
Mardi Gras madness greeted the Tuesday Tasters as they entered the home of Catherine and Ken Bass on February 17. They were showered with beads to get them in the spirit of the season. Mardi Gras season officially begins on the 12th night after Christmas, or January 6, and lasts until the eve of Ash Wednesday or Luna Tuesday. Catherine and Ken are originally from Louisiana and enjoy celebrating the holiday with friends at Robson.
The wine theme for the evening was bring your favorite red or white, and there were five wines to sample. The appetizers were examples of typical fare in Louisiana: Boudan with Cajun mustard, pepper/cream cheese spread with crackers, pepper poppers and a garlic laced dip with pita chips. Pam and Wayne Casalino brought the winning wine of the evening; this was their first win of the New Year!
Placing first was an Essential Red, 2012, California wine by Bogle Vineyards. For this unique old vine blend, the Bogle family has drawn inspiration from historic vineyards that have stood undaunted for many generations. This Essential Red is rich, ripe, luscious and juicy. Its compelling red blend brings together the best of old vine zinfandel, Syrah, cabernet sauvignon and petite sirah. The Tuesday Tasters heartily agreed!
As a finish to the evening, Catherine and Ken served Mello Joy decaffeinated coffee from Lafayette, LA and a King Cake, brought by Janie Farnsworth, whose husband Dick found the baby in his slice of cake last year. The King Cake is a symbol of the Wise Men or Kings bearing gifts that visited the Christ child on the 12th night. Hidden in the cake is a baby that is a symbol of the birth of the child and good luck. Louisiana tradition has it that whoever receives the piece of cake with the baby has to bring the King Cake to the next Mardi Gras party. Tuesday Taster Pam Casalino discovered the baby in her slice of King Cake this year and is charged with carrying on the tradition. The Casalinos made a clean sweep of our Mardi Gras celebration!
Until next month, “Laissez les bon temps rouler” (Let the good times roll).