Oktoberfest Dinner

Housing and Dining Services Brings German Fare to Dining Centers

Sept. 29, 2021 — Housing and Dining Services will bring authentic German fare to Derby and Kramer dining centers with its Oktoberfest Dinner event Thursday, Sept. 30.

Chef Manfred, a native German, developed the menu. The menu includes Brathendel (German roast chicken), Schweinebraten (German pork roast) with gravy, Spaetzle noodle and cheese bake, German mashed potato salad, red cabbage and apples, cucumber salad, German farmer’s bread, Black Forest torte and mini apple turnovers.

The history of Oktoberfest dates back to Oct. 12, 1810, when Prince Ludwig married Princess Therese in Munich, Germany. They also held a horse race that day, which they decided to repeat in 1811. Later, they added carnival booths and tents, and in 1811, the festival management decided that Oktoberfest should become an annual event, along with an agricultural celebration of the harvest.

In 1880, the city allowed beer to be served for the first time, and in 1881, they had the first Brathendel and Schweinebraten as an affordable favorite Bavarian dish. Kaesespaetzle (Spatzle noodle and Cheese bake) was invented in 1725 in Schwaben, Germany, and Rotkraut (red cabbage with apples) and potato salad are seasonal, traditional classic meals that pair well with beer in the south of Germany.

Oktoberfest is open to all meal plan holders, but anyone can purchase an all-you-care-to-eat meal for the cash meal price of $13. For more information about the dining centers, visit the Dining Services website .