19. September 2014: 7th HSG Alumni Conference Gala Dinner @ KKL Lucerne

The gala dinner of the 7th HSG Alumni Conference was hosted in the KKL Lucerne and served by their catering. Before talking about the food, it has to be mentioned that approx. 400 guests had to be served at the same time. The dinner started with a “marinaded turbot carpaccio with mango, grapefruit, avocado, frisée and cress”. While it was displayed nicely and was also a refreshing combination of fish and fruit, the sea and salt taste of the fish was overwhelming which made the dish not entirely enjoyable.

Next in line was a “celery cream with truffle butter” which was quite great. The soup was tasty, the consistency was nice as it was not too watery but the taste of the truffle butter was incredibly subtle to the degree of non-existence.

Next was a “grilled Angus beef filet marineded with Norway lobster, curry cream, glazed carrots, Flageolet beans and verbena”. Now, I have had better beef filet before but for a group of approximately 400 people getting the filet served more or less all at the same time and making sure the meat is served warm is already an achievement by itself. In addition to that, the meat was also very tender, so of good quality. The lobster on top of it was a tiny bit too dry but still nice in taste and the Flageolet beans which were served with the beef were actually a very good complementary dish.

After the main course one had the chance to enjoy the “molecular dessert buffet” …

… which was already interesting to watch but tasted even better.

What really blew my mind was the “cheese buffet by Jumi” – I have had large selections of cheese before, but I think I have never seen such a buffet of various cheeses before. And besides that …

… the ladies who served the cheese at the buffet were absolutely competent and lovely explaining the various kinds of cheese making sure you would get the full cheese experience.

Overall, the service was good but in all fairness sometimes you had to wait quite a bit before the waiter made it to your table refill the wine or water glass. However, at least they were very friendly and helpful. The place itself is perfect for a gala dinner – spacious, atmospheric. Overall, if you get the chance to dine at the “Lucerne room” in the KKL, seize the opportunity.

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Contact Details:

7th HSG Alumni Conference Gala Dinner @ KKL Lucerne

Europaplatz 1

6005 Lucerne (CH)

Tel.: +41 41 226 70 70

About the Author: Sven

I started the blog in October 2009, while living in Milan which I definitely consider to be one of the food capitals of the world. I was in touch with food since my early childhood (as my father is a former chef). Whenever I can, I travel the world to discover new places, to meet people but mostly to try local dishes and to find hidden gems! If you know a place worth going, please drop a line to: info@thediningexperience.org. Currently, I am a member of the following food-related associations: Chevalier @Chaîne des Rôtisseurs Zurich-Ville; Membre Gourmet Dégustateur @Ordre Mondial des Gourmets Dégustateurs [OMGD]; Gesellschafter @Goldener Fisch and Member @Slowfood Convivium Zurich City.