Michael Gelman, the executive producer for the TV show Live with Regis and Kelly and his wife Laurie Hibberd Gelman, a journalist with Condé Nast, were the special guests at a gala event held at the Titanic Museum in Branson on Saturday. The Gelmans were part of a receiving line that welcomed other guests and patrons willing to spend $100 each to share in what was advertised as a "special evening of elegance and style."
As "passengers" arrived they were summoned to the "forward deck" where they could mingle. Fluted glasses filled with a brut sparkling wine and a combination of melon flavors in Titanic shot glasses rimmed with sugar were served. Hors d'oeuvres consisted of either Fresh Ahi Tuna or Smoked Salmon tartare.
Arrivals were welcomed by the ship's captain. He saw fit to compliment the evening's lovely weather, certainly too warm to suspect an iceberg loomed.
The ship's bell eventually summoned everyone to an area where tables covered in crisp white cloths and lavishly adorned with floral decorations set the scene for a most elegant dinner. Of course, Rose was present after she was admonished by her first class maid for cavorting with a third class passenger the likes of Jack who, in spite of the tongue-thrashing, stood by her side.
Executive chef Mike Jalili of award-winning Bijan's Sea and Grille in downtown Springfield and Titanic Museum's chief caterer, introduced the menu for the evening. The opening course was a Caesar salad served in a parmesan bucket followed by a well presented plate of Chilean sea bass topped with cashews, pecans and caramelized onions and herb crusted beef tenderloin having been flavored by a Shiraz reduction. Both entres were complimented by an asparagus and truffle wild mushroom risotto. Dessert consisted of chocolate mousse in a dark chocolate cup, a caramel pecan tart and a swirl of gingerbread, lemon mousse and blackberry sauce served in the already mentioned Titanic shot glasses.
Each course was accompanied by an appropriate wine--either a dry sauterne from Bordeaux, France (R du Rieussec Domaines Barons de Rothschild Sec 2004), a full flavored fruity red Spanish blend of 86% Tempranillo, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Merlot (Finca Villacreces Ribera Del Duero 2004) and a peachy white slightly carbonated Muscat from the Piedmont region of Italy (Paolo Saracco Moscato d'Asti 2004). They were chosen by Branson diagnostic radiologist, Dr. Rich Makuch, who is also the owner of Palate Fine Wines and Provisions located downtown. The wine stewards formally dressed and wearing white gloves expertly filled everyone's glasses with, as one might expect, nary a drop missing its mark.
The hosts for the evening were Mary Kellogg-Joslyn and her husband John, Titanic Museum owners. The attraction is located at 3235 W. 76 Country Blvd., corner of Gretna Rd. For information about renting out the venue, go here Go Back | 
