HAVE AN ICE NIGHT
Zoo hosts dinner featuring an up-close experience with polar bears
Head into the ice cave for a unique dining experience with two polar bear brothers. The ABQ BioPark Zoo is hosting a Polar Bear Destination Dinner on Friday, Sept. 21, at the Inukshuk Bay Exhibit, which houses sibling polar bears Koluk and Kiska.
“I like the dinners, because you get a firsthand, up-close and personal experience with the animals,” said Amy McGee, director of catering for Taste Catering ABQ. “The trainers are there to talk to you about the animals. They also do tricks and enhancement with the animals, and (guests) get to see it firsthand. So at the polar bear exhibit, (the trainers) throw fish in and (guests) watch polar bears dive underwater, and (the trainers) have certain toys to get the polar bears active.”
Hors d’oeuvres will be served on top of the Inukshuk Bay Exhibit, including housecured salmon, cream cheese, capers, and cucumber; a grilled vegetable and charcuterie display, and crab-stuffed mushrooms.
Down below in the cave, guests will be able to dine and watch the polar bears feed and frolic underwater.
“The polar bears, they’re sensitive to smells, too, so it causes them to be more active once they’re smelling food and then (there are the) special activities,” McGee said.
The dinner begins with a salad made of baby scarlet kale, toasted piñon, blueberries, shaved Parmesan, and citrus vinaigrette. A grilled cod and corn chowder will follow.
The main course is a blackberry honey-glazed salmon fillet served with roasted tricolor cauliflower and smashed Yukon potatoes. A baked Alaska parfait made with cinnamon brown sugar ice cream and fresh raspberries will conclude the dinner.
“The keepers will be there to sit and talk with the people and give them information and talk about the polar bears and their habits and other stuff,” McGee said.
The menu was created by Taste Catering ABQ, the catering operation for the zoo and the aquarium. Vegetarian and gluten-free options are available upon request before the event. Wine will be available on each table and is included in the ticket price. Cash bars also will be available. All of the proceeds from the event benefit the polar bears and their exhibit.