Fine Dining with the 254

On January 24, 2023, the senior ranks of the 254, resplendent in full Highland dress, assembled in our Stanfield Dining Hall/McLellan Annex to attend our Annual Cadet Mess Dinner. The president of the mess committee (PMC), Master Warrant Officer Noah Burch-Pottie ‘23 and the Regimental Sergeant Major, Chief Warrant Officer Nate Montgomery ‘23 greeted the guests and led them through the receiving line of master warrant officers, warrant officers, and sergeants. When greetings had been exchanged and welcomes extended, the head table was placed in the proper order by the PMC. They were then piped into their seats by our Piper Warrant Officer Sean Hurley ‘23. Our Corps Chaplain, Reverend David Curry said the grace and the meal began. The food was excellent. Dinner guests were treated to such delights as butternut squash soup and an excellent main dish of chicken cordon bleu. The service throughout the dinner was spectacular. Our Chief Steward for the evening, Frances Aceron ‘24 guided the serving team through their paces. The newly-minted servers who were trained that afternoon looked like they had been filling the position for years. They served from the right, picked up from the left, amazing the dinner guests with their grace and style.

 

Of course, a Highland Unit mess dinner is never complete without some dancing. This year Sergeants Ali MacLean ‘27 and Natalia Shaw '27 executed a flawless Highland fling. They were followed by a group known as the Black Future. Under the tutelage of Warrant Officer Adaoma Ukaegbu ‘23, they put together a dance routine for the dinner and did an excellent job.

 

The high point of the dinner is always the haggis. This year Master Warrant Officer Henry Mulherin ‘23 and Warrant Officer Evey Kennedy ‘23 gave a great rendition of the Ode to Haggis. Their Scots accents were working great until the Commanding Officer cried out Irish. They switched gears, spoke like two Newfoundlanders and wowed the guests. They had just stepped off the floor when Sergeant Evan Foran ‘23 jumped up and gave the Ode to Dessert. Well done to all!

 

The night came to a close, Reverend Curry gave the after-dinner grace, and the dinner concluded. Mess dinners, haggis, Highland fling, Highland dress, and great cadets observing the customs and traditions that have gone before them but are still honoured. What a great day to be a cadet in the 254!