Best breakfast you can find in Ruby, AK

Just like the greatest reward challenges on CBS’ television show Survivor, the “First Musher to the Yukon Award” presented in Ruby (and Anvik in odd-numbered years) is so amazing it just might be worth putting strategy aside for a few moments to enjoy.  Every year the Millennium Hotel in Anchorage (whose lobby also serves as Iditarod Headquarters) sends it’s executive chef to the remote Yukon River village where they prepare a full, seven course gourmet meal over a coleman camp stove.  The meal is followed up by a $3,500 “after dinner mint” and if that’s not enough, the winner can enjoy the same dinner for two again, at the date of their choosing in Anchorage… the only downside is that this time it won’t be made with camping gear.

Below is this year’s menu which will be served to the first musher that arrives to Ruby.

2010 First Musher to the Yukon Award
As Prepared by Millennium Hotel’s Executive Chef (on a camp stove)

Appetizer
Alaskan King Crab nestled in a bed of spinach with remoulade sauce

Soup – Bison Stew
Tenderloin of bison with fresh Alaskan vegetables and potatoes in a pork reduction

Fish Course – Grilled halibut
Alaskan halibut marinated in white wine and garlic and glazed with a citrus sauce

Intermezzo
Lemon sorbet served on a bed of candied lemons splashed with lemon cello

Main Dish – Tenderloin Tournedos
tenderloin of beef sauteed with a brandy peppercorn sauce, served on a bed of roasted garlic Portabello mushrooms, with turned Yukon potatoes and brown sugar carrots

Fruit and Cheese Plate – Fruit Flower with Cheese Wheel
Assorted fresh-fruit flower with imported cheeses as petals and a crostini stem

Dessert – Blackberry Jubilee
Fresh blackberries sauteed with brown sugar and flamed with blackberry brandy, served over vanilla bean ice cream