Vibe Check: Hattie's Mardi Gras

What went on at Saturday’s annual soirée, including a deviled egg debate, a Dorinda/DJ dance number, and a discussion about Schuylerville's hottest hookup spot.

Mardi Gras attendees groove to music by Garland Nelson’s Soul Session.

At an annual event centering around food and raising money to support future food service workers, it only makes sense that I would get into a debate about deviled eggs before I even walked through the door of Hattie’s Mardi Gras soirée. When I overheard someone at the coat check say that they don’t like deviled eggs because hard-boiled eggs are gross, I (obviously) had to step in. Though I’ve been vegan for about three years, I still sometimes dream about deviled eggs. Hard-boiled eggs aren’t even in the same category.

Turns out, I had an ally in this particular battle. “You can’t group deviled eggs and hard-boiled eggs together, but you can group deviled eggs with egg salad,” said the young man working the coat check. “Deviled are better for parties, but egg salad is simply better.”

Flerida Santana Johnas, Tamani Wooley and Kizzy Williams; guest of honor Dorinda Medley and Greg Calejo.

I later learned that my fellow deviled egg defender was one of 12 students from The SEAT Center Culinary Lab—a Schenectady-based organization that works to connect young people to work in the culinary industry and the evening’s beneficiary—that were volunteering at the event. “Our three chefs went down and toured The SEAT Center, and it’s amazing,” said Business for Good Director of Hospitality Beth Alexander, who’s been organizing Hattie’s Mardi Gras for more than two decades. “They were so impressed with both the programming they offered there and Jennifer, the founder and president. It’s a newer organization, and we really love helping new organizations get their legs underneath them financially.”

I refrained from continuing the egg debate and headed into the party, which this year was held at the Saratoga Springs City Center, since the Canfield Casino is under construction. Here’s what I found: