The word "gourmet" does not usually apply to college dining halls.
On Thursday, however, Dining Services offered a night of dining hall bliss as hordes of students attended the annual crustacean feast known as Lobster Night.
Lobster Night is the most popular meal of the year, as proven by the long lines of students eagerly awaiting their "quintessential New England meal," said Dining Services Marketing Director Scott Rosario. The lines, which began to form long before the doors opened at 5 p.m., did not seem to shrink until after 8 p.m.
"The savvy returning students usually wait until later in the meal period when the lines have died down," Rosario said. "There is plenty of lobster to go around. Everyone gets one no matter when they arrive."
The annual event began in the 90s when the George Sherman Union was renovated and it stopped serving upscale items such as lobster, Rosario said.
"Dining Services decided that it would be more fun for the students and reach a greater number in the BU community if Lobster Night was offered in the residence dining rooms," he said.
For this year's feast, 8,000 fresh Maine lobsters, each weighing just over one pound, were ordered from several local lobster fishermen with the help of James Hook &' Co., Rosario said.
The lobsters were cooked in batches of 80 at a time in large kettles throughout the night. In addition, over 300 gallons of clarified butter were used for just the one dinner service.
"It's definitely the craziest day I've ever worked, including last year," said College of Communication sophomore Kelsey Cote, who works in Shelton Hall's dining hall.
"And it goes by so much faster than other meals," she added.
Rosario said Dining Services makes the meal a local endeavor.
"We focus on using local ingredients for this meal, so the corn, potatoes, lobster and other items are all purchased locally," he said.
School of Education freshman Marie Hoff said she couldn't eat the shellfish due to an allergy, but nevertheless enjoyed the other food offered.
"I wish I wasn't allergic, but luckily the chicken and corn on the cob were really good," she said.
For those who have never eaten, or even seen, a lobster before, figuring out how to tackle one can be overwhelming and even frustrating, students said.
For this reason, Dining Services provided instructional placemats, bibs, lobster crackers and hand wipes.
"Students from the area know how good a great lobster meal is and students who don't get to eat lobster that often love the special treat of a lobster dinner," Rosario said. "We have a very diverse group of students, many of which have never seen a lobster before, and that makes it very exciting and almost frightening for them."
"I think it's a nice, fun, festive thing that BU does. It's a real sea-worthy event!" said COM sophomore Martin Nolan.
Debbie Lee, who graduated from the College of Arts and Sciences in 2006, returned for the occasion.
"I'm an alumna and visited specifically for lobster night," she said. "I made friends with undergrads just so I could come here tonight!"
"Tonight is the most sacred night in the BUniverse: lobstah night," said COM sophomore Amanda Friedman.
In addition to Lobster Night, Dining Services also hosts Sargent Choice dinner on Sept. 16, the Fall Harvest Dinner on Sept. 29, the Hispanic Heritage Dinner on Oct. 7, Iron Chef at The Towers on Oct. 13, the Visiting Chef Series on Oct. 21, the Thanksgiving Meal on Nov. 18 and Holiday Dinner on Dec. 9, according to the Dining Services website.
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