The WOODLANDS (Texas) – Jennifer Kupcho asked Thomas Keller for her favorite food: macaroni and Cheese.
The Champions Dinner is an elegant affair. Keller, the owner of The French Laundry, and Best Chef of America once, creates a menu to honor the champion of the previous year.
Keller’s mac ‘n cheese was a big hit with Kupcho, who loves the blue Kraft box variety.
Kupcho said, “I’d say that most of the times fancy mac and cheddar is a bit rich for me. But he did a fantastic job.” It wasn’t too rich. “It was not Kraft Mac and Cheese, but it was amazing.”
She also enjoyed the Regiis Ova Ossetra caviar starter, potato and toasted onions blini with Vidalia onion cream fraiche.
She said that she would have never thought to order this, but it was amazing.
Thomas Keller’s Champions Dinner menu, Monday night
Amy Alcott was there, as were Juli Inkster and Stacy Lewis. Britt Lincicome and Sandra Palmer. Morgan Pressel. Lydia Ko. Lexi Thompson. Pat Hurst.
Kupcho said that Julia Inkster had spoken and mentioned how special it was to see everyone again. “I’m looking forward in the future to this, to be able to catch-up every year.” It’s really amazing.”
Kupcho was, of course the last player at the Dinah Shore Tournament Course to win, and he made the final champion’s jump into Poppie Pond.
She remembers last year calling her swing coach on a Wednesday morning in a panic to figure out what was wrong.
Kupcho won three times in the last season and said that he had “miraculously” turned things around.
