The impetus for the Headwaters Science Center's "elevated epicurean experience - Dining at the next level" came from a taste of the exotic flaming dessert Bananas Foster.
A few years ago, Julie Bengtson, Science Center board member, participated in the Association of Science Technology Centers Convention at the Science Museum of Minnesota in the Twin Cities. She said a highlight of the convention was a banquet with various courses spread out as buffets on each floor of the museum.
Since then, Bengtson said she has wanted to replicate that experience locally, and decided to make it a fundraiser for the ongoing operations of the Science Center. The result is the "elevated epicurean experience," a feast of food, drink and entertainment.
The event will be 5:30-8:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, on all three levels of the Science Center - basement, main floor and mezzanine. All participants will be served with china, glassware and shining flatware on linen-covered tables. And the Science Center menagerie, including the snakes and giant hissing cockroaches, will not be in evidence.
The basement will feature The Pub, with cash bar, hors d'oeuvres and jazz combo. Upstairs, thematic dinner buffets will feature food prepared by area restaurants and private chefs, including meats, comfort food such as hot dish and hot and cold vegetables.
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"Of course, we don't do anything without teaching people something," Bengtson said.
In keeping with the Science Center's educational outreach, the vegetable-and-fruit table will follow the theme of "eat a rainbow every day" - encouraging consumption of orange, green, red, blue and purple foods.
Bananas Foster will be on the dessert table along with some surprises.
"You'll want to be there to experience it," Bengtson said.
In addition to the Bemidji State University Jazz Combo in The Pub, musical entertainment will include the Northwinds Quartet, Bemidji Baroque Ensemble and musicians from the Bemidji Symphony Orchestra. Joe D'Alessandro will perform as a wandering magician and guest scientist Glenn Schmieg will conduct a demonstration titled "Playing With Food." There will also be a silent auction.
"One of the goals I have is to bring people into the center who haven't been there," Bengtson said. "We want to try to get a little of everything we do in."
Tickets for the event cost $25 and are available at the Science center, 413 Beltrami Ave. N.W., Bemidji Area Chamber of Commerce, RiverWood Bank and First National Bank Bemidji downtown express bank.
