Get your cufflinks ready, Lions, because this year's Surf and Turf dinner is going to be bomb. The magical event will take place in Ferris Booth Commons (use the whole name so it sounds even fancier) and John Jay dining hall Thursday from 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. How can you ensure that those three hours are filled with high-class bliss and fine dining, you ask? Don't fret, we at Spectrum have figured out how to make Surf and Turf dinner so great that the White House Correspondents' dinner will look like a 3 a.m. trip to White Castle.
Dress to the nines
If you were thinking about going to this year's dinner in whatever you wore to your 2:40 class, think again. This is the perfect time to get out your prom attire from senior year of high school and hire hair and makeup consultants. When planning your ensemble, keep last year's Met Gala attire instructions in mind: tasteful white tie. Gloves are highly encouraged and it would also be appreciated if you incorporated either surf or turf in your outfit.
Come prepared to indulge
Two words, ten letters, say it and I'm yours. Shrimp boat. As with past years, there will be a massive shrimp boat in John Jay that even those allergic to prawns cannot resist. Be sure that you don't spend your whole day snacking if you want to be able to fit 30-plus pieces of shrimp, 4 of the New York Strip steaks, and the "dessert extravaganza" in your belly. The best thing to do is approach Surf and Turf dinner as you would approach Thanksgiving: train your tummy to expand and don't give up until you are completely satisfied.
Bring a date
Surf and Turf dinner is the event to be seen at for the semester so it would be great if you went with a wonderful date on your arm. When picking dates try to find someone who won't mind seeing you stuff your face and who appreciates your enthusiasm for all things food. This is also a perfect date because you can swipe your significant other/FWB/attractive acquaintance in instead of actually taking them to a restaurant.
Eat at PrezBo's
The delicacy that is this annual dinner deserves to be eaten in a place that pretty much oozes luxury. The first place we can think of that does that is (sorry) not Ferris, but instead, PrezBo's house. Because PrezBo loves Columbia and tradition, he would completely be okay with students taking their meals from Ferris and bringing them over to his place to enjoy. Pro tip: eat so much that you fall into a food coma—that way he'll have to invite you to spend the night.
Bring or hire fine entertainment
You know what goes swimmingly with good food? Great entertainment! It might be a little late to get Raw Elementz or CU Ballet Collaborative to perform, but it would totally be possible to screen a posh movie like "Breakfast at Tiffany's." If you aren't into that, you should just pick up "Pride and Prejudice" and read any of the lines by Lady Catherine de Bourgh. That's classy. Other entertainment options could include a tasteful rendition of Titus Andromedon's Peeno Noir.
