[Editor's note: all photos by Jesse Gifford]
This was the third occasion of the University of
Highbridge's Open Class Day and Feast, and this year again it can be stated most
certainly that a good time was had by all. The format followed the previous
years - a full afternoon of classes followed by a feast that was guaranteed to make
the hungry students and professors full - or bust. The list of classes, taught by many different
members of the greater Realms community, was posted well in advance of the day so
that interested students could peruse the offerings and have ample time to register their preferred selections. There was a wide variety to chose from, so
everyone was sure to find something that piqued his or her interests. Topics included economics, Realms fashion and
garb, casino game theory and dealing, marshalling, tea and tea ceremonies,
history, questing skills, and combat tactics, as well as a number of classes
geared towards different aspects of spellcasting such as ethics, support
casting, and progression. In addition, the Knights of the Realms Challenge was
also being run as a class. A dayboard was provided during the afternoon which included light snacks and a selection
of dips, butters, and breads.
 |
| Gathered by the dayboard |
 |
| Students hard at work |
As the afternoon wound down into
early evening, classes started to let out.
Hungry students and teachers made their way down to the dining area,
eager to relax and socialize with each other and anxious for the epic amount of
food that they would soon face. In
keeping with the Highbridge tradition, the meal was to consist of light tea
fare and savory pies as an appetizer, followed by a salad, an entree, and a
dessert. Having recently returned from
Danaan, however, Mistress Tria's sense
of time and order was a little, ahem, altered. Because of this, all the course
were actually served in reverse order. Imagine
everyone's surprise then when dessert was served first! They were able to
overcome their misgivings, however, as the dessert was Boston Creme French
Toast - pastry cream sandwiched between two pieces of cinnamon French toast,
coated in chocolate ganache. A uniquely
delicious confection and I'm glad it came first so I had plenty of room for it.
 |
| Dessert is the first course |
 |
| Socializing between courses |
Therefore, due to Mistress Tria's (un)fortunately altered
timing, the entree course was served following dessert. This consisted of a
Create-Your-Own pasta bowl. Each person was given a card listing various
options for pasta, toppings, and sauces, and could pick as many - or as few- as he or she wanted. Sauces (all made in
Tria's kitchen) included marinara, Alfredo, and teriyaki sauces, as well as a
roasted garlic oil and an onion gravy. Toppings included a variety of meats,
cheeses, and roasted vegetables. Helping
to prepare the dishes in the kitchen, I can say that there were definitely some
interesting creations going out to the guests, and everyone seemed to be
enjoying their orders.
 |
| Pasta with meatballs, sausage, chicken, mushrooms, basil, white sauce, mozzarella |
The salad course was a Santa "Fae" salad which was
a mixed vegetable and bean salad with spicy peppers and cheese tossed in a
cilantro-balsamic vinaigrette dressing, served with fried zucchini chips. The
next course, savory pies, included a steak and ale pie and a macaroni and
cheese pie. As the final course, a variety of light tea bites were served -
various teas, along with cucumber sandwiches, peanut butter and
chocolate-hazelnut sandwiches, and toffee
brittle.
 |
| This hat was making rounds |
 |
| Of course, Aeston's hat must also make it's rounds |
There are a few things that must be noted. First, while
there was no cherpumple, Mestoph (of The
Charge of Mestoph's Appetite fame) did in fact receive a special dessert of
his own from Mistress Tria - instead of pies inside a cake, he was given cakes
inside of pies, much to his amusement and delight. Mayhap there will be a new
song next year.
 |
| Mestoph's special course |
Also, all those who were registered with the University as
receiving the Professor level of dining were given a special token, with which
they could obtain access to Highbridge's famed Tea and Cheese Cart. Making it's
rounds throughout the afternoon, the Cheese Cart contained a wide variety of
wondrous cheeses - rare, fancy, bold, and everywhere in between. But the cart was more than just the cheese-
there were also specialty meats, chips, breads, dips, spreads, and a beverage. During
the final course of dinner, the cheese cart became the tea cart, and boasted a
variety of items in addition to the light tea snacks already being served.
Access to the Tea Cart allowed you access to the following: cinnamon rolls, tea cakes, spice cookies, and
turkey and brie sandwiches.
 |
| The Professors' cheese cart! |
So that's what you missed - a nice, long, and fulfilling day. There were
plenty of interesting class options to chose from, and plenty of time to relax
and enjoy each others' company during the feast that followed the classes.
Mistress Tria certainly made good on her promise to provide the feast-goers
with a full-to-the-point-of-rupture stomach, with different courses of unique
and delicious food. Sounding fun? Then I
suggest you try to make it next year,
you won't be disappointed!
