When most people hear the word “Macy’s,” they think of the well-respected retail giant and its traditional Thanksgiving Day Parade.
In May, Macy’s celebrated its designation as America’s longest-running retail food operation. The Walnut Room, located on the seventh floor of Macy’s on State Street in Chicago, opened in 1890 and was an instant success.
Soon after the restaurant opened, the store began selling wine, liquors and groceries. In 1926, while purchasing apples for The Walnut Room, William Tilton, better known as “Tilton the Taster,” discovered the Idaho potato. Impressed with the potatoes’ size and versatility, he added them to the menu. It’s believed that The Walnut Room was the first restaurant in the U.S. to offer baked Idaho potatoes on its menu.
In honor of the Walnut Room’s 125th anniversary, Macy’s Culinary Council hosted a tasting extravaganza for its shoppers on May 16. Celebrity chefs including Cat Cora, Tom Douglas, Johnny Iuzzini and Takashi Yagihashi were invited to this event to demonstrate how they prepare their favorite dishes, but the headliner was the Idaho potato.
The restaurant attempted to create the world’s largest baked potato bar, featuring Idaho potatoes and 125 different toppings. The toppings ranged from the traditional butter, sour cream and shredded cheese to quinoa, sautéed bok choy and Frontera tri-tip.
Leading up to the event, IPC vice president of foodservice Don Odiorne worked closely with chefs, offering suggestions on how to bake and serve over 1,000 potatoes that were to be consumed in a four-hour period.
Shoppers who spent $100 in the store received two free tickets to the anniversary event, which also supported local veterans. The event generated buzz among bloggers and media coverage in the Chicago area.