University of Montana and the Cowboy Ball in the news. . .
University Dining Services
Press Release – Campus and Local
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 2, 2004
The University of Montana Receives Loyal E. Horton Grand Prize
University Dining Services (UDS) is proud to announce that The University of Montana has received the 2004 Loyal E. Horton Grand Prize in the category of Catering-Special Event. The Grand Prize winning entry was for the 12th Annual Cowboy Ball, a highly successful UM Rodeo Team fundraiser.
The NACUFS' Loyal E. Horton Dining Awards are the ultimate professional tribute in college and university culinary arts. Named for a NACUFS founder, past president, and highly regarded innovator, the Loyal E. Horton award salutes the most successful ideas in menus, presentations, special event planning, and new dining concepts. Loyal E. Horton entry books are judged on every aspect of an event’s menu, presentation, marketing, and overall concept. A winning entry must have a unique theme, exceptional menu, and a flawless presentation.
The process for creating a grand prize winning submission began a year and a half ago, when UDS and the Cowboy Ball committee began the planning process. The goal was to take this already successful fundraiser and “kick it up a notch.” After creating the theme, “Red Hot Rodeo”, they began to develop a menu and atmosphere to match. University Catering Services enhanced the menu to include Hand-Carved Prime Rib, Rosemary Skewered Roasted Vegetables, Hasselback Potatoes, Shepherd’s Crook Breadsticks, Puff Pastry Cheese Straws, a number of gourmet salads and a Chocolate Rodeo Barrel berry dessert. Special consideration was also placed on the décor, with miniature chili pepper trees as centerpieces and vibrant colors in the place settings and decorations.
Finally, after a year of preparation, the Mytty Ranch Riding Arena was transformed into a “western style” sparkling ballroom. The dusty rodeo dirt was packed solid, tables were set up, auction items were in place, and the food was hot and ready. It was the most successful Cowboy Ball to date, hosting 750 guests and grossing over one hundred and eighty thousand dollars.
Compiling the submission for the Horton Award was another extensive process. It required careful documentation of every detail, from planning to execution. This included seven different photo shoots at the Mytty ranch. After the photos and information were gathered, the entry format needed to be determined. It had to be presented in a way that captured the true essence of the Cowboy Ball. The final decision was to make a book that told the “story” of the ball through a fictitious, old-time cowboy character aptly named “Rope.” After 3 months, the final entry book consisted of nearly 50 pages of pictures, storytelling, menus, and a little country humor.
In June the Cowboy Ball was announced as the gold medal winner for the medium size school category, placing it and three other gold medal winners in contention for the national grand prize. Then, on July 9th, at the National Association of College and University Food Service Dining Awards Luncheon in Las Vegas, The University of Montana was named the overall national Grand Prize winner.
Congratulations to University Dining Services, University Catering Services, and The University of Montana for receiving this prestigious award. Winning this award bestows national recognition upon everyone involved.
